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Get ready to show your support for military children on Purple Up Day, celebrated every April 15! This day was first designated in 2011 by the Military Child Education Coalition to honor and recognize the strength and sacrifices of military families. The color purple symbolizes all branches of the military as it is a combination of Army green, Marine Corps red, and Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard blue. So let's all wear some purple on this special day to show our appreciation for these brave and resilient children!
<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'>Purple Up Day Initiation</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Military Child Education Coalition initiates the first Purple Up Day to recognize and honor military children for their strength and sacrifices.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2013</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First National Recognition</div><div class='timeline-text'>Purple Up Day is nationally recognized for the first time, significantly expanding its awareness and reach across the United States.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2015</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Expansion to Schools</div><div class='timeline-text'>Several schools across the country start participating in Purple Up Day, encouraging students to wear purple in honor of military children.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2017</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Corporate Participation</div><div class='timeline-text'>Major corporations begin recognizing Purple Up Day, offering discounts and promotions to military families as a show of support.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2020</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Virtual Observations</div><div class='timeline-text'>Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual events and activities become a mainstay of Purple Up Day celebrations, ensuring continued support for military children in spite of social distancing restrictions.</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'>Wear all purple</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Encourage your friends and family to wear all purple on Purple Up Day! From head to toe, rock the color purple in support of military children.</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'>Host a purple-themed party</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Plan a party with purple decorations, food, and drinks. You can even make it a potluck and have everyone bring a purple dish to share.</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 a military support organization</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Show your support for military families by making a donation to a military support organization on Purple Up Day. Every little bit helps.</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'>Create purple care packages</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather some friends and create care packages filled with purple items to send to military families and children. This is a great way to show your support and spread some purple love.</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'>Learn about military families</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Take some time on Purple Up Day to educate yourself about the challenges and sacrifices that military families face. You can even reach out to a military family and offer your support and gratitude.</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's a day to honor military families</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Purple Up Day is a time to show support for children and families of service members. It's a chance to recognize their sacrifices and the challenges they face, and to thank them for their strength and resilience.</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 promotes unity and inclusivity</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Purple is known as the color of loyalty, courage, and sacrifice - all qualities possessed by military families. By wearing purple on this day, we show our unity and support for these families, no matter what branch or rank they may be.</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 raises awareness for military-connected youth</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Many military-connected children face unique challenges, such as frequent moves and dealing with the absence of a parent during deployments. Purple Up Day helps bring attention to these issues and encourages communities to provide support and resources for these children.</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'>Purple Up Day is Officially Supported by the Department of Defense</h3><p class='facts-content'>The Department of Defense endorses the celebration of Purple Up Day as part of their commitment to recognize and support military families.</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'>"Purple Up" Term Represents Unity Among Military Families</h3><p class='facts-content'>The term "Purple Up" is a symbol of unity, reflecting the blending colors of each military branch: Army green, Navy blue, Marine red, Air Force blue, and Coast Guard blue.</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'>April is the "Month of the Military Child"</h3><p class='facts-content'>Purple Up Day falls in April, which the Department of Defense designated as the "Month of the Military Child" to applaud military kids for their resilience and sacrifice.</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'>"Operation Purple" Camps Benefit from Purple Up Day</h3><p class='facts-content'>Many celebrations of Purple Up Day help raise funds and awareness for the National Military Family Association's "Operation Purple" program, which provides camps for military children across the United States.</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'>Purple Up Day Spreads Globally</h3><p class='facts-content'>Today, the observance of Purple Up Day has spread beyond the United States, as military bases around the world participate in celebrating and supporting military children.</p></div></div>
Purple Up Day is celebrated on April 15 every year. In 2024 Purple Up Day will occur on a Monday.
2023
Apr 15
Saturday
2024
Apr 15
Monday
2025
Apr 15
Tuesday
2026
Apr 15
Wednesday
2027
Apr 15
Thursday
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