Purple Heart Day
Purple Heart Day:
Purple Heart Day on August 7 is a day designed to show gratitude for those who bravely served our Country.
| Year | Date | Day | Where |
| 2023 | 7th August | Monday | United States |
| 2023 | 7th August | Wednesday | United States |
| 2025 | 7th August | Thursday | United States |
Twitter Hashtags:
#PurpleHeartDay
Related: Other National Days Celebrated on August 7th
National Raspberries N’ Cream Day
Why Purple Heart Day?
Purple Heart Day on August 7 is a day designed to show gratitude. It’s a day to allow Americans to honor and remember those who bravely served the country, suffered injuries or were killed while serving. These individuals are adorned with the Purple Heart in the name of the President. This day is a time to remember those who gave their lives for the country. Certain states, counties, and cities take a moment to reflect as also some entertainment and sports entities. Veteran and military groups also hold events for commemoration. Join us in honoring those who have been awarded the Purple Heart.
How can We Observe Purple Heart Day?
The day is usually celebrated by the military in America, which organize memorials and commemoration meetings for those who have died in combat as ceremonies to honor veterans and wounded soldiers fighting against the enemy.
Certain events are organized through The Military Order of the Purple Heart. The organization is actively organizing annual and regional conventions and publishing a magazine aimed at recipients who have received the Purple Heart Medal.
People who wish to express gratitude to the soldiers who have served can contribute to the Purple Heart Foundation or volunteer in numerous organizations across America that aid veterans and their loved ones.
Use #PurpleHeartDay and post on social media.
Interesting Facts about National Purple Heart Day:
On August. 7th, 1782, George Washington created the award (known initially as “the Badge of Military Merit) to be awarded to soldiers for any outstanding act. The award was given to a select group of Soldiers in that period and lost until its reinstatement on February of George Washington’s birthday. 22, 1932.
Army General. Douglas MacArthur revived the Purple Heart and was officially given its current-day appearance and its name in 1932. The award was created as a decoration for combat to honor meritorious actions and those who had been wounded or killed during combat.
MacArthur would like to rename and refresh the award before the bicentennial celebrations of George Washington’s birthday in 1944, working in conjunction with Washington’s Commission of Fine Arts, Washington Commission of Fine Arts, as well as Elizabeth Will, a heraldry specialist at the army’s Office of the Quartermaster General.
Then, in 1944, the criteria for the award of the Purple Heart changed to what we have today, as the award is only given to those who have been wounded or killed during the battle.
In the Revolutionary War, Continental Army soldiers William Brown and Elijah Churchill were the first soldiers to be awarded the Badge of Military Merit, which was the precursor to the Purple Heart. Brown was likely to be awarded the distinction for his actions during the Battle of Yorktown, and Churchill was praised for his courage during the Battle of Fort St. George on Long Island.
The first member of the military to receive the present-day Purple Heart was Army Gen. Douglas MacArthur for his involvement in the Pacific theatre (specifically in the Philippines) during World War II.
The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor estimates that 1.8 million Purple Hearts have been issued since the award was reinstated in 1932. Unfortunately, a list of official recipients isn’t available, but they say that the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is working on resolving this.
They are currently constructing databases with the assistance of the families of those who received the award from every branch of the service in all times when the award was first created as it was today in 1932. They aim to build a Roll of Honor to preserve and tell the stories of these courageous fighters for freedom.
History of Purple Heart Day:
The first Purple Heart, designated as a Badge of Merit, was given to George Washington in 1782. There was a shortage of funds for the Continental Army at the time, and the award was intended to honor enlisted and deserving individuals.
The award is presented to soldiers who have performed “any singularly meritorious action.” The badge was created using silk bound around it and a fine edge of sterling silver. Washington only handed out three badges on his own and allowed his subordinates to distribute them in any way they deemed appropriate.
The Badge of Merit faded from use but was revived in 1932, but this time as it was the Purple Heart. In addition to giving the honour to combat wounded, the new version of the Purple Heart recognized commendable action. In 1944, the policy was modified slightly as well. The Purple Heart was given the role it now has to pay tribute to those injured or who lost their lives.
General Douglas MacArthur, for his work in the Pacific theatre during World War II, was the first military member to receive the modern Purple Heart. There have been 1.8 million Purple Hearts awarded over the decades.
Purple Heart Day was first observed in 2014 and has been celebrated yearly. It’s a time to remember the courage of those fighting to defend America. U.S.
