National Pro-Life T-Shirt Day is observed on April 3 annually. On this day, communities encourage young people and individuals who are anti-abortion to wear their favorite pro-life t-shirts everywhere, all day, to impact others. It doesn’t matter if it’s at work, school, the store, or the neighborhood; any place can get people thinking about the debate on abortion, even if they disagree with the pro-life people. It is a day that calls for people to stand up strong for what they believe and what better way to do so than to wear a T-Shirt that communicates your message?
History of National Pro-Life T Shirt Day
Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, a movement to liberalize abortion laws gained momentum, partly thanks to the second-wave feminist movement and several therapeutic abortion cases, such as that of Sherri Finkbine. In the late 1960s, in response to these nationwide abortion-rights efforts, several organizations were formed to mobilize opinions against the legalization of abortion. Catholic institutions and communities led most of these. Evangelical Christian groups did not see abortion as a priority issue at the time. The first major anti-abortion organization in the U.S. was the National Right to Life Committee, formed out of the United States Catholic Conference in 1967.The anti-abortion movement adopted the description ‘pro-life’ to highlight their proponents’ belief that abortion takes a human life rather than an issue concerning the restriction of women’s reproductive rights. It was adopted after the Supreme Court 1973 ruling in Roe v. Wade, which decided that a woman may terminate her pregnancy “after viability … for the preservation of the life or health of the mother.” That year, U.S. Catholic bishops recommended the amendment of the U.S. Constitution to ban abortion.In the 1970s and 1980s, Americans were becoming increasingly pro-choice; with this, the Roe v. Wade case, and the overturning of most anti-abortion laws, the rise of a largely religious-based anti-abortion political and social movement resulted. Since the 1980s, the passing of the Hyde Amendment in 1976 was the first major anti-abortion success. It prohibited the use of certain federal funds for abortions. In 1980, anti-abortion politicians gained control of the Republican Party’s platform committee, adding anti-abortion plans to the Republican position and calling for a Human Life Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, banning abortion. According to the Guttmacher Institute, 80 laws restricting abortion were passed in the first six months of 2011, “more than double the previous record of 34 abortion restrictions enacted in 2005 — and more than triple the 23 enacted in 2010”.
National Pro-Life T Shirt Day timeline
The United States Catholic Conference forms the first major U.S. anti-abortion organization.
After the Supreme Court decision, a woman is given the right to terminate her pregnancy to preserve her own life or health.
As Americans become increasingly pro-choice, a more religious-based anti-abortion movement grows and adopts the ‘pro-life’ description.
The first major anti-abortion success prohibits using certain federal funds for abortions.
National Pro-Life T Shirt Day FAQs
What did the Choose Life shirt mean?
It’s not actually about abortion; it was a comment against war, death, and destruction, inspired by a Buddhist exhibit.
Is there a national t-shirt day?
No, but International T-Shirt Day is on June 20 in the U.S.
Where in Scripture does it say choose life?
It’s in Deuteronomy 30:19.
How to Observe National Pro-Life T Shirt Day
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Wear your favorite pro-life t-shirt
It’s pretty self-explanatory. If you are against abortion, use this day to let everyone know!
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Buy a new pro-life t-shirt
Whether you don’t own one or you just want another one, this is another way to observe this day. Look for online stores where you can buy one and pick the design you like the most.
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Make your own pro-life t-shirt
Making your t-shirt is pretty simple. Just get a plain t-shirt of your color of preference, and then paint a design with acrylic paint. You can simply write a message that conveys your views on abortion or something more creative if you have the skills.
5 Important Facts About The Anti-abortion Movement
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Anti-abortion views used to dominate
Anti-abortion views were predominant before the Supreme Court 1973 decisions in Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton when numerous state laws that prohibited or restricted abortions expressed these views.
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Some anti-abortion activists allow for permissible abortions
Some anti-abortion activists permit abortion in circumstances of incest, rape, severe fetal defects, or when the woman's health is at risk.
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There have been four anti-abortion presidents
Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, George W. Bush, and Donald Trump had anti-abortion views.
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Some politicians think it’s punishable by death
Texas State Rep. Tony Tinderholt introduced a bill in 2017 and 2019 that would enable the death penalty in Texas for women who have abortions, and the Ohio legislature once considered a similar bill in 2018.
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The statistics are telling
A 2020 poll revealed that 32% of Americans are either very or somewhat satisfied with abortion policies as they currently are, 24% report being dissatisfied and desiring stricter policies and 22% expressed dissatisfaction but want less stringent guidelines.
Why National Pro-Life T Shirt Day is Important
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It promotes debate about abortion
If you wear a pro-life t-shirt in public, many people might disagree with your views. If both sides remain civil and hear what the other has to say, it might result in an eye-opening debate.
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It makes it easier to find other pro-life supporters
You may also find people that share your views if you wear a pro-life t-shirt in public. Perhaps they’ll let you know, and you could even become friends.
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It’s a way of expressing yourself
It’s important to express ourselves. As long as you’re not breaking dress code rules, if it’s something you truly believe in, and it doesn’t actively harm others, there’s nothing wrong with free speech.
National Pro-Life T Shirt Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | April 3 | Monday |
| 2024 | April 3 | Wednesday |
| 2025 | April 3 | Thursday |
| 2026 | April 3 | Friday |
| 2027 | April 3 | Saturday |
