National Medal of Honor Day

National Medal of Honor Day, observed March 25th, honors recipients of the Medal of Honor, the United States military's highest award for valor in combat, presented for acts of gallantry and bravery above and beyond the call of duty. The date was chosen to mark the anniversary of the first Medal of Honor presentations, which took place on March 25, 1863, when six Union Army soldiers, participants in the Great Locomotive Chase, a Civil War raid behind Confederate lines, became the first recipients of the newly established award. Congress officially designated March 25th as National Medal of Honor Day through legislation signed in 1990, formally recognizing the observance nationwide. The Medal of Honor has since been awarded to a relatively small number of service members throughout American military history, spanning the Civil War through modern conflicts, and it is presented directly by the President of the United States on behalf of Congress, reflecting its status as the nation's highest and most selective military honor. Because of the extraordinarily high bar for the award, a large proportion of Medal of Honor recipients throughout history received the honor posthumously, for actions in which they were killed carrying out the acts of valor being recognized. On National Medal of Honor Day, people observe by honoring recipients' service and sacrifice, often through ceremonies, educational programs, or moments of reflection.