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Purple Heart Day

Honor and remember the brave men and women of our armed forces this Purple Heart Day - show your appreciation for their service and sacrifice!

Friday

August 2026

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATEAugust 7

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYCareers

SUBCATEGORYMilitary

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Celebrate Purple Heart Day on August 7th, an occasion to honor the men and women who have sacrificed their lives for our country. This day is celebrated in remembrance of the Purple Heart medal, one of the oldest military decorations still being awarded today. The medal was first introduced by General George Washington in 1782 as a sign of appreciation and gratitude towards those who served during wartime. So let's take this time to show our respect and appreciation for all those brave soldiers out there!

TIMELINE

Purple Heart Day Timeline

Establishment of the Badge

General George Washington establishes the Badge of Military Merit, which will later evolve into the Purple Heart.

Purple Heart Introduction

On the 200th anniversary of Washington's birth, the Purple Heart is revived by President Herbert Hoover to honor military service members' sacrifices.

Eligibility Expansion

President Franklin D. Roosevelt extends the eligibility for the Purple Heart to all branches of the military and makes the change retroactive to 1917.

Further Expansion

The regulations were updated to allow awarding of the Purple Heart to any military member wounded or killed while serving with friendly forces under the United Nations command in Korea.

Civilian Eligibility Ends

The award was officially removed from the list of those medals that could be awarded to civilians when eligibility was narrowed to include only military personnel.

New Eligibility Guidelines

The Department of Defense expands criteria for the Purple Heart to include soldiers suffering from concussions and mild traumatic brain injuries.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate Purple Heart Day

Attend a virtual ceremony

Take part in a virtual ceremony to honor those who have sacrificed for our country. You can find plenty of events on the Purple Heart Foundation website.

RAISE

Raise awareness

Spread the word about Purple Heart Day, and help raise awareness about the sacrifices made by members of the military. Share stories and post content on social media.

DONATE

Donate to veterans

Make a donation to an organization that helps veterans or their families, such as the Wounded Warrior Project or the Purple Heart Foundation.

SEND

Send cards or letters

Write letters to veterans thanking them for their service, and send cards to family members of fallen soldiers.

FLY

Fly the American flag

Show your support for those who have served by displaying the American flag outside your home or business.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why Purple Heart Day is Important

It brings attention to veterans’ issues

On this day, it's important to not only remember and thank the brave men and women who have served in combat, but to also recognize how they are taken care of when they return home. This includes acknowledgment of their unique needs as vets, including access to services such as medical care, job training, education assistance, and more.

It honors the sacrifice of service members

Purple Heart Day is a solemn occasion to recognize and honor the sacrifices made by U.S. military service members who have been wounded or killed in the line of duty. It's a time to reflect on their courage and resilience, while also giving thanks to those who risk their lives every day to protect our freedom.

It reminds us to stay vigilant

In honoring those who have given their all for their country, Purple Heart Day helps to keep us mindful of the importance of maintaining a strong sense of patriotism and vigilance in protecting our nation's security. It's a powerful reminder that we must never take our liberties for granted.