International Stand Up to Bullying Day – February 26, 2027

History of International Stand Up to Bullying Day

International Stand Up to Bullying Day emerged from the acts of two Nova Scotian 12 graders. Travis Price and David Shepherd stood up and protested when a fellow student was picked on for wearing a pink shirt. They bought 50 pink shirts at a discount store and emailed their classmates asking them to wear the pink shirts that they had bought the following day, to create a “sea of pink” to support the bullied student. Many students wore the shirts while the rest came to school in their own pink clothes. Their act of creativity and kindness gained notice around Canada, the United States of America, and other countries. By the following year, International Stand Up to Bullying Day had gone viral in many countries across the world.

International Stand Up to Bullying Day is a semi-annual event that takes place in both February and November. The November event coincides with Anti-Bullying Week. Those participating in the day sign and wear pink “pledge shirts” to take a public stand against bullying. The shirts convey displeasure for bullying and extend support to the victims. It is a non-confrontational way to stand up against bullies. It first took place in February 2008, when 236 schools, workplaces, and organizations participated by wearing pink pledge shirts. Each participating school, workplace, or organization hosts its stand with aid provided by event coordinators. Organizations such as Bully Help Initiatives are committed to developing effective support structures for victims.