Gold Star Mother’s Day in United States ― Date, History, and Details
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History of Gold Star Mother’s Day in United States and How to Celebrate/ Observe It
Gold Star Mother’s Day is a holiday in the United States that is observed on the last Sunday in September. The holiday honors mothers who have lost a child in service to the country. Gold Star Mother’s Day was first observed in 1928, and it became an official holiday in 1936.
The term “Gold Star families” comes from the practice of families of servicemen hanging a service flag in their window with a blue star for each family member serving in the military. If a serviceman was killed in action, the blue star was replaced with a gold star.
During World War II, the service flags became very common, and Gold Star Mothers groups were formed in communities across the country. These groups provided support for each other and lobbied for benefits for Gold Star families.
In 1947, Congress established the Gold Star Wives of America to provide support for widows of servicemen killed in action. In 1966, the group lobbied for and obtained passage of the Dependents’ Medical Care Act, which provides health insurance for Gold Star families.
The Gold Star Mother’s Day Act was passed by Congress in 1968, and it was signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson. The holiday is observed on the last Sunday in September, and it is a day for Americans to honor the sacrifices made by Gold Star mothers.