T-shirts are one of the most commonly worn garments by men, women, children, and people of all ages. But did you know there’s a day dedicated to celebrating them? Yes, you read that right! Here’s when it’s celebrated and what inspired National White Shirt Day.
When is National White Shirt Day?
This day is celebrated on February 11th each year in the United States.
What is National White Shirt Day?
National White Shirt Day is not only about the popularity of this garment, but it also has a much deeper history that goes beyond just a fashion trend.
This date commemorates the resolution of a historic strike by automotive workers in 1937. Following the stock market crash of 1929 and the onset of the Great Depression, car manufacturers laid off workers and reduced costs. General Motors (GM) followed this path, eliminating its more expensive models, dismantling the remaining models, and ramping up production at a grueling pace.
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When GM rehired workers, it did so at lower wages and without regard to seniority. In 1935, the Wagner Act allowed workers to legally organize and join unions. By 1936, working conditions had worsened drastically, and workers began forming picket lines, risking not only their jobs but also their lives.
It was in this context that sit-down strikes offered the opportunity to shut down factories without replacement workers crossing the picket lines. On December 30, 1936, GM employees occupied the Number 1 Body Plant in Flint, Michigan, after a planned strike failed. Their protest, which lasted 44 days, halted production and had an impact not just on GM but on the entire automotive industry.
This strike was pivotal in establishing the United Auto Workers (UAW) as the sole representative of GM’s automotive workers. The commemoration is particularly significant in Flint, Michigan, and other cities with GM plants.
How to celebrate National White Shirt Day?
In addition to wearing this garment, you can do the following to commemorate the day:
- Share the story of someone who contributed to improving the workplace.
- Share your professional experiences. Use the hashtag #NationalWhiteShirtDay to post on social media.
- Acknowledge the efforts of your friends and family working in the automotive industry and express your gratitude for their hard work.
- Take a moment to research how the strike led to the formation of many unions and how the responses of that time helped improve working conditions for many people working today. Share this information with your friends and colleagues and explain the significance of this event.
Does the United Automobile Workers union still exist?
Yes, although it currently also includes workers from the aerospace and agricultural industries.
What is the United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) union?
The UAW is one of the largest and most diverse unions in North America, with a presence in nearly every economic sector. The workplaces represented by the UAW span a wide range, from large multinational corporations and small manufacturers to local and state governments, educational institutions, hospitals, and nonprofit organizations.
Currently, the UAW has more than 400,000 active members and over 580,000 retirees in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. The organization consists of more than 600 local unions and maintains around 1,750 contracts with approximately 1,050 employers across these three countries.
