“Today we honor those who have put their lives at risk to defend our nation, and have given of their personal health to preserve our freedoms. America’s warriors, who serve in every corner of the globe, represent the best among us. I thank our veterans for their service and will continue to do everything in my power to ensure that those who have given so much are well taken care of upon returning home.”

Purple Heart Day, observed every year on August 7, is the date on which then-General George Washington gave heart-shaped purple cloth badges to a group of American soldiers during the Revolutionary War in 1782 when the men suffered combat injuries.

The Purple Heart was given official recognition by the United States government in 1932 as a purple heart-shaped enamel badge with the profile of Washington featured. In addition, the Military Order of the Purple Heart was founded that year as a Congressionally-mandated organization for wounded veterans.