Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day
September 27
About Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day
Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day is a United States observance held on the last Sunday of September each year, falling on Sunday, 27 September 2026. It honours the mothers and families of service members who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. The day recognises their loss and their continuing service to fellow bereaved families and to the wider veteran community.
The Story Behind Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day
The observance grows out of a custom that began during the First World War. Families with a relative serving in the military hung a small banner, known as the service flag, in their window. A blue star represented each family member in uniform. When a service member died, a gold star was stitched over the blue one. The gold star came to stand for a son or daughter lost in service to the nation, and the phrase “Gold Star Mother” entered common use to describe a mother who had made that sacrifice.
The national organisation that gives the day its name, American Gold Star Mothers, Inc., was founded by Grace Darling Seibold. Her son, Lieutenant George Vaughn Seibold, volunteered for aviation duty after the United States entered the war in 1917. He flew with the British Royal Flying Corps and was killed in aerial combat over Bapaume, France, on 26 August 1918. While waiting for news of him, Grace had begun visiting wounded soldiers in hospital. Convinced that grief borne alone was destructive, she gathered other mothers who had lost sons in the war, both to comfort one another and to care for hospitalised veterans far from their own families.
On 4 June 1928, twenty-five mothers met in Washington, D.C., to formally establish the organisation. It later received a federal charter from Congress under Title 36 of the United States Code. The official observance followed in 1936, when a joint congressional resolution designated the last Sunday in September as Gold Star Mother’s Day, to be marked each year by presidential proclamation. In 2011, President Barack Obama broadened the name to Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day, recognising that fathers, spouses, siblings, children, and other relatives share in the loss.
When and Where is Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day Observed?
Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day falls on the last Sunday of September. In 2026 that is Sunday, 27 September. The date moves each year because it is tied to the final Sunday of the month rather than a fixed calendar date. It is observed across the United States, with ceremonies at war memorials, national cemeteries, veteran organisations, and military installations.
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Sunday, 27 September |
| 2027 | Sunday, 26 September |
| 2028 | Sunday, 24 September |
| 2029 | Sunday, 30 September |
| 2030 | Sunday, 29 September |
Traditions and Customs
The day is marked quietly and with dignity. Common observances include:
- Presidential proclamation – Each year the President issues a proclamation calling on Americans to display the flag and observe the day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
- Flying the flag at full staff – Government buildings and many homes display the United States flag, and Gold Star families often hang the service flag with its gold star in remembrance.
- Memorial ceremonies – Veteran organisations, national cemeteries, and military bases hold wreath-laying and remembrance services for the fallen and their families.
- Wearing the Gold Star lapel pin – The Gold Star Lapel Button, established by Congress, identifies the immediate family of a service member who died in a conflict, and many wear it on this day.
- Community support for bereaved families – Local chapters of Gold Star organisations gather to share remembrance, offer support, and continue the founding mission of caring for one another.
Ways to Honour Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day
You do not need a personal connection to the military to mark the occasion respectfully:
- Learn the meaning of the gold star – Understanding the service flag and what the gold star represents helps preserve the memory of those who died in service.
- Attend a local ceremony – Many communities hold remembrance events that are open to the public; attending shows solidarity with grieving families.
- Support a Gold Star organisation – Groups such as American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. rely on donations and volunteers to continue their work with veterans and families.
- Reach out to a bereaved family – A respectful message of acknowledgement can mean a great deal to those who have lost a loved one in service.
- Display the flag – Flying the United States flag is a simple, traditional way to mark the day.
- Share the history – Telling others about the day’s origins and Grace Darling Seibold’s story keeps the observance meaningful.
Facts and Figures
- The last Sunday in September was designated as Gold Star Mother’s Day by a joint congressional resolution on 23 June 1936.
- American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. was established in Washington, D.C., on 4 June 1928 by Grace Darling Seibold.
- The organisation holds a federal charter from Congress under Title 36 of the United States Code.
- The term “Gold Star” comes from the practice of stitching a gold star over a blue one on the family service flag when a service member died.
- In 2011, the observance was renamed Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day to include fathers, spouses, children, and siblings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day?
It is a United States day of remembrance honouring the mothers and families of service members who died while serving in the Armed Forces. It recognises their sacrifice and their ongoing support for other bereaved families and veterans.
When is Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day in 2026?
It falls on Sunday, 27 September 2026, the last Sunday of September.
Why is it called a “Gold Star”?
During the First World War, families displayed a service flag with a blue star for each relative in uniform. If that relative died, a gold star was sewn over the blue one. The gold star became the symbol of a family member lost in military service.
Spread the Word
Share Gold Star Mother’s and Family’s Day with your community using #GoldStarMothersDay and #GoldStarMothersDay2026. Whether you attend a remembrance ceremony or simply pause to honour those who have lost a loved one in service, every act of recognition helps keep this observance alive.
Related Awareness Days
- PTSD Awareness Day – Recognises the lasting mental health impact of military service on veterans and their families.
- National Hire a Veteran Day – Encourages employers to support those who have served in the Armed Forces.
- National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day – Honours the service and sacrifice of Korean War veterans.
Links
2026 Awareness Days Wall Planner
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