Military Spouse Appreciation Day 2026 in the United States

The Friday before Mother's Day in the United States is observed as Military Spouse Appreciation Day. It is a day to acknowledge the significant others of military personnel who hold the fort down at home while their partners are protecting the country.

Is Military Spouse Appreciation Day a Public Holiday?

This is not a public holiday. Government and public offices, businesses, and schools are not closed on this day but may hold special events and outreach programs to commemorate the annual observance.

The first Military Spouse Appreciation Day was observed on May 23, 1984. It was established as a one-off observance through a proclamation by President Ronald Reagan. The day was later made into an annual observance by Secretary of Defense Casper Weinberger. In 1999, the U.S. Congress declared May as National Military Month to acknowledge the service of the men and women in the military.

Military Spouse Appreciation Day, which is also sometimes known as Military Spouse Day, aims to bring national attention to the role that military spouses play in maintaining the morale of the military and in supporting their significant others while they serve the country.

How to Celebrate?

• If you know of a military spouse, do something nice for them. Thank them for all that they do.
• Donate money or time to organizations that work with military spouses.

Did You Know…

...that the use of the word spouse to mean a partner in marriage dates back to 1200? The term comes from the Latin spondere meaning to bind oneself.

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