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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!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1782</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Establishment of the Badge</div><div class='timeline-text'>General George Washington establishes the Badge of Military Merit, which will later evolve into the Purple Heart.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1932</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Purple Heart Introduction</div><div class='timeline-text'>On the 200th anniversary of Washington's birth, the Purple Heart is revived by President Herbert Hoover to honor military service members' sacrifices.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1942</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Eligibility Expansion</div><div class='timeline-text'>President Franklin D. Roosevelt extends the eligibility for the Purple Heart to all branches of the military and makes the change retroactive to 1917.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1952</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Further Expansion</div><div class='timeline-text'>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.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1995</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Civilian Eligibility Ends</div><div class='timeline-text'>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.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2011</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>New Eligibility Guidelines</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Department of Defense expands criteria for the Purple Heart to include soldiers suffering from concussions and mild traumatic brain injuries.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Attend a virtual ceremony</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>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.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Raise awareness</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>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.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Donate to veterans</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Make a donation to an organization that helps veterans or their families, such as the Wounded Warrior Project or the Purple Heart Foundation.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Send cards or letters</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Write letters to veterans thanking them for their service, and send cards to family members of fallen soldiers.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Fly the American flag</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Show your support for those who have served by displaying the American flag outside your home or business.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It honors the sacrifice of service members</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>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.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It reminds us to stay vigilant</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>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.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It brings attention to veterans’ issues</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>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.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>More than 1.8 million Purple Hearts have been awarded</h3><p class='facts-content'>Since the creation of the Purple Heart Medal, an estimated 1.8 million have been awarded to military members for their bravery and sacrifice.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>George Washington's connection to the Purple Heart </h3><p class='facts-content'>The Purple Heart's precursor, the Badge of Military Merit, was created by George Washington on August 7, 1782, and was made of purple cloth in the shape of a heart. Hence, the current name and design.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Notable recipients include former Senator Bob Dole and former Secretary of State Colin Powell</h3><p class='facts-content'>Recipients hail from all walks of life including notable figures such as Bob Dole, a long-serving senator, and Colin Powell, the former Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Animals are also recipients</h3><p class='facts-content'>Animals have also been decorated with the Purple Heart. During World War II, the medal was awarded to several war animals, like Sergeant Stubby and Chips, for their heroic services.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>A precedent for posthumous awards was set during WWII</h3><p class='facts-content'>Although initially made for those wounded in battle, during World War II, the Purple Heart was officially authorized for posthumous award to any servicemember who lost their life due to enemy action.</p></div></div>
Purple Heart Day is celebrated on August 7th every year. In 2024 Purple Heart Day will occur on a Wednesday.
2023
Aug 7
Monday
2024
Aug 7
Wednesday
2025
Aug 7
Thursday
2026
Aug 7
Friday
2027
Aug 7
Saturday
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