August 7
PURPLE HEART DAY
U.S. General George Washington wanted to honor several courageous soldiers of the revolutionary war with a Badge of Military Merit. So, on this day in 1782, he ordered the creation of a purple, cloth heart with a silver, braided edge. The Badge of Military Merit was only awarded to three Revolutionary War soldiers.
On the bicentennial of the first U.S. President’s birthday, February 22, 1932, the badge was reinstated. This time it was called the Order of the Purple Heart, a purple-enameled, gold-bordered heart with a profile of Washington in the center.
The Purple Heart decorates those members of the United States armed forces who have been wounded in battle (if they die, it is awarded to their next of kin).
Those Were the Days, the Today in History service from 440 International
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