Medal of Honor Day

Annual American day recognizing Medal of Honor recipients
Medal of Honor Day
Army, Navy, and Air Force versions of the Medal of Honor
Observed byUnited States
TypeNational
DateMarch 25
FrequencyAnnual

Medal of Honor Day is a United States federal observance that is celebrated every year on March 25. It was created to honor the "heroism and sacrifice of Medal of Honor recipients for the United States."[1] The holiday has been celebrated since 1991, when George H. W. Bush signed Public Law 101-564 on November 15, 1990, which was passed by the 101st United States Congress in November 1990, and created it.[2] The holiday was chosen to be celebrated on March 25 to honor the 23 men who participated in the Great Locomotive Chase and received Medals of Honor for it, particularly William Bensinger, Robert Buffum, Elihu H. Mason, Jacob Parrott, William Pittenger, and William H. H. Reddick, who received the first six Medals of Honor on March 25, 1863.[3][4] The law reads (in part):[5][6]

Whereas the Medal of Honor is the highest distinction that can be awarded by the president, in the name of the congress, to members of the armed forces who have distinguished themselves conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of their lives above and beyond the call of duty ... Whereas public awareness of the importance of the Medal of Honor has declined in recent years; and Whereas the designation of National Medal of Honor Day will focus the efforts of national, State, and local organizations striving to foster public appreciation and recognition of Medal of Honor recipients."

References

  1. ^ States, United. United States Statutes at Large, V. 121, 2007, 110th Congress, First Session, Pts. 1-2. Government Printing Office.
  2. ^ George, Bush (1991). Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George Bush, 1990. Best Books on. ISBN 978-1623767556.
  3. ^ "The Army Medal of Honor: The First Fifty-five Years". National Archives. 2016-08-15. Retrieved 2018-04-04.
  4. ^ "The Medal ... The Men ... The Museum". The Campaign for the National Museum of the United States Army. 2015-03-13. Retrieved 2018-04-04.
  5. ^ "Medal of Honor recipients honored during Oval Office ceremony commemorating National Medal of Honor Day". VAntage Point. 2017-03-27. Retrieved 2018-04-04.
  6. ^ Congress, U. S. (2010). Congressional Record, V. 153, PT. 3, February 5, 2007 to February 16, 2007. Government Printing Office. ISBN 978-0160869754.

External links

  • v
  • t
  • e
Holidays, observances, and celebrations in the United States
January
January–February
February
American Heart Month
Black History Month
February–March
March
Irish-American Heritage Month
Colon Cancer Awareness Month
Women's History Month
  • Saint Patrick's Day (religious)
  • Spring break (week)
    • March–April
  • Easter (religious)
    • April
    Arab American Heritage Month
    Confederate History MonthMay
    Asian American and
    Pacific Islander Heritage Month
    Jewish American Heritage Month
    Military Appreciation Month
    June
    Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and
    Transgender Pride Month
  • Juneteenth (federal, cultural)
  • Father's Day (36)
    • JulyJuly–AugustAugustSeptember
    Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
    Childhood Cancer Awareness MonthSeptember–October
    Hispanic Heritage Month
  • Chehlum Imam Hussain (religious)
  • Oktoberfest
  • Pitri Paksha (religious)
  • Rosh Hashanah / Feast of Trumpets (TX, NY, religious)
  • Shemini Atzeret (religious)
  • Simchat Torah (religious)
  • Vijaya Dashami (religious)
  • Yom Kippur / Day of Atonement (TX, NY, religious)
    • October
    Breast Cancer Awareness Month
    Disability Employment Awareness Month
    Italian-American Heritage and Culture Month
    Filipino American History Month
    LGBT History MonthOctober–November
  • Birth of the Báb (religious)
  • Birth of Baháʼu'lláh (religious)
  • Day of the Dead (VI)
  • Diwali (NY, religious)
  • Mawlid al-Nabi (religious)
    • November
    Native American Indian Heritage Month
    December
  • Christmas (religious, federal)
  • New Year's Eve
    • Varies (year round)
  • Eid al-Adha (NY, religious)
  • Eid al-Fitr (NY, religious)
  • Islamic New Year (religious)
  • Yawm al-Arafa (religious)
  • Hajj (religious)
  • Laylat al-Qadr (religious)
  • Navaratri (religious, four times a year)
  • Obon (religious)
  • Onam (religious)
  • Ramadan (religious, month)
  • Ghost Festival (religious)
  • Yawm Aashura (religious)
    • Legend:

    (federal) = federal holidays, (abbreviation) = state/territorial holidays, (religious) = religious holidays, (cultural) = holiday related to a specific racial/ethnic group or sexual minority, (week) = week-long holidays, (month) = month-long holidays, (36) = Title 36 Observances and Ceremonies

    See also: Lists of holidays, Hallmark holidays, Public holidays in the United States, Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands.

    Media related to Medal of Honor Day at Wikimedia Commons


    Stub icon

    This holiday-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

    • v
    • t
    • e