Unity Day Oct. 16, 2024
Wear or Make Something Orange on Unity Day - Wednesday Oct. 16, 2024
Unity Day, started by PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center as the signature event of National Bullying Prevention Month continues to grow every year as a tangible representation of the universal message
that our society wants to promote kindness, acceptance and inclusion to prevent bullying. Plan to support the event by participating in the simple call to action—wear and share the color orange.
Why Unity?
For years, bullying was justified with expressions such as, “Bullying is a natural part of childhood,” “Bullying makes kids tougher,” or “Bullying is a rite of passage.” The goal of Unity Day is to bring together youth, parents, educators, businesses, and community members across the nation to emphasize the message that bullying is not acceptable, and that all students deserve to be safe in school, online, and in the community.
Why the color orange?
Unity Day is celebrated in October, and orange is a color commonly identified with the month and the autumn season. It is also a color that is associated with safety and visibility. It is a color described as warm and inviting, and its vibrancy makes an impactful statement.
Why just a day?
The event provides a catalyst for everyone to come together with a visual statement that our actions matter not only on one day, but every day.
One young student shared that he wished Unity Day could be every day. When asked why he replied: “So that every day everyone would be nicer to me and to each other.”
What can one person do?
Everyone’s involvement is important! This event goes beyond the school wall and into the community. Anyone can wear orange and share an image with an online post. For so long, those who were bullied felt that no one cared—the simple act of wearing orange shows that them that they are not alone and will hopefully empower them to speak out and reach out.
Read more about ways to participate here:
National Bullying Prevention Month, Pacer Website
When was the first Unity Day?
The first Unity Day was held in 2011. The “Unity Dance,” featuring Tristan McIntosh, who went on the become a 2016 American Idol finalist, was also created that year.
Who was the first celebrity to wear orange?
In 2011, in the first year of the event, Ellen DeGeneres wore an orange sweater and talked about the significance of Unity Day on her show and promoted the event online.