Tell the Truth Day is observed on July 7. Like most of us, at some point, you probably told a lie but, hopefully, it was just a white lie with little consequence. Unfortunately, lying can lead to much more harmful outcomes when it becomes a personality trait. Truthfulness and honesty are the foundations of living with integrity. Here are some ideas on how to observe this very meaningful day.
History of Tell the Truth Day
The battle between lies and truth is present throughout human history. These two ideas have been at the center of everything from the creation of countries to the development of complex philosophical debates. Staying on the topic of philosophy, the great Greek philosopher Plato sought to find circumstances where lying would be justified and Aristotle condemned all forms of lying.
On the other hand, truthfulness is also an idea that’s in the fiber of human history. For many philosophers such as Kant and Schopenhauer, it’s considered a complex subject that’s influenced by circumstances. At the end of the day, living with a sense of truthfulness towards ourselves and others is what many people strive for.
People’s willingness to be truthful and honest is viewed as a sign of virtue. The best example of this is the ‘cherry tree myth.’ In this story, a young George Washington confesses to having chopped down his father’s cherry tree rather than lie about it. Whether this event happened has been debated by historians, but it serves as an example of how we value honesty as a display of a great person.
Truths and lies are also the driving force behind some of the great narratives. Every form of art and entertainment, from paintings to movies have portrayed these elements of the human condition.
Tell the Truth Day timeline
The Catholic philosopher categorically condemns lying and even creates some distinctions between different types of lies.
A California-based policeman and psychologist creates an apparatus capable of measuring changes in blood pressure, heart rate, and respiration in order to detect deception.
During the U.S. Open, professional golfer Bobby Jones accidentally moves the ball while lining up his stance — he informs the officials, making a display of great sportsmanship.
Disney’s “Pinocchio” premieres — the movie tells the story of a wooden marionette whose nose grows longer when it lies.
Tell the Truth Day FAQs
Is it a response to April Fools?
Although this isn’t official, it does stand for the opposing values of April Fool’s day.
Is it good to tell the truth all the time?
The answer is, the truth almost always sets us free. The degree of truthfulness you show towards any given person depends on how healthy you want your relationship to be with that person. The more personal you want a relationship to be, the more truthful you have to be. It’s that simple.
Is it possible to live a normal life and never tell a lie?
No, almost every person tells a lie at some point in their lives, often thousands of times. No matter what anyone says, it is impossible for anyone to never tell a lie, no matter how insignificant.
How to celebrate Tell the Truth Day
Tell the truth the whole day
Make it your goal for the day. Try and identify the moments when you would usually resort to lying and make an effort to tell the truth.
Talk to children about the importance of honesty
This is a great day to explain the value of truthfulness to your children or other young family members and loved ones.
Come clean
Have you told a lie that you wish you could come clean of? This is a great opportunity to do it.
5 Facts About Honesty
It is highly valued
Most employers place honesty as the top characteristic they want from their staff.
Billy Joel wrote a song about it
‘Honesty,’ released in 1978, is considered one of the songwriter’s greatest hits.
Lying can be a habit
Research has shown that adults tend to lie 11 times per week, a little over once per day.
People give physical cues when they lie
These include, but are not limited to, looking away and fidgeting.
Consumers want it
84% of consumers agree that brand honesty is very important to them.
Why we love Tell the Truth Day
It’s good for your health
A study from the University of Notre Dame found that telling fewer lies per week improved mental and physical health.
It helps create healthy relationships
Being honest is a fantastic way to relate to others.
It’s a good day to self-reflect
While the main objective is to be as honest as possible, this day also invites us to reflect on why we lie in the first place.
Tell the Truth Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | July 7 | Sunday |
| 2025 | July 7 | Monday |
| 2026 | July 7 | Tuesday |
| 2027 | July 7 | Wednesday |
| 2028 | July 7 | Friday |
Log In With Google 