Purple Up Day
Let's show our love and support for military families on Purple Up Day by wearing purple and spreading awareness!
Introduction
April is a very special month for military families, and Purple Up Day is the heartbeat of it all. It’s a day when communities across the United States come together to celebrate the incredible strength and resilience of military children. These "military brats" (a term used with total love and pride!) face unique challenges, from frequent moves to long months waiting for a parent to return from deployment. By wearing purple, we’re sending a big, warm hug to these kids, letting them know we see their sacrifices and we’re standing right beside them. It’s a simple gesture that builds a huge sense of belonging and gratitude.
💜 Purple Up Day Countdown
Thursday
15
April 2027
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Purple Up Day Timeline
2011
Purple Up Day Initiation
The Military Child Education Coalition initiates the first Purple Up Day to recognize and honor military children for their strength and sacrifices.
2013
First National Recognition
Purple Up Day is nationally recognized for the first time, significantly expanding its awareness and reach across the United States.
2015
Expansion to Schools
Several schools across the country start participating in Purple Up Day, encouraging students to wear purple in honor of military children.
2017
Corporate Participation
Major corporations begin recognizing Purple Up Day, offering discounts and promotions to military families as a show of support.
2020
Virtual Observations
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual events and activities become a mainstay of Purple Up Day celebrations, ensuring continued support for military children in spite of social distancing restrictions.
How to Celebrate Purple Up Day
1
Learn about military families
Take some time on Purple Up Day to educate yourself about the challenges and sacrifices that military families face. You can even reach out to a military family and offer your support and gratitude.
2
Create purple care packages
Gather some friends and create care packages filled with purple items to send to military families and children. This is a great way to show your support and spread some purple love.
3
Wear all purple
Encourage your friends and family to wear all purple on Purple Up Day! From head to toe, rock the color purple in support of military children.
4
Donate to a military support organization
Show your support for military families by making a donation to a military support organization on Purple Up Day. Every little bit helps.
5
Host a purple-themed party
Plan a party with purple decorations, food, and drinks. You can even make it a potluck and have everyone bring a purple dish to share.
Why We Love Purple Up Day
A
It's a day to honor military families
Purple Up Day is a time to show support for children and families of service members. It's a chance to recognize their sacrifices and the challenges they face, and to thank them for their strength and resilience.
B
It raises awareness for military-connected youth
Many military-connected children face unique challenges, such as frequent moves and dealing with the absence of a parent during deployments. Purple Up Day helps bring attention to these issues and encourages communities to provide support and resources for these children.
C
It promotes unity and inclusivity
Purple is known as the color of loyalty, courage, and sacrifice - all qualities possessed by military families. By wearing purple on this day, we show our unity and support for these families, no matter what branch or rank they may be.
Purple Up Day FAQs
What is Purple Up Day?
Purple Up Day is a special day in April dedicated to honoring and showing support for the children of military service members.
When is Purple Up Day?
We celebrate this beautiful wave of support on April 15th, Thursday, 2027, so make sure your purple outfit is ready to go!
Why do we wear the color purple?
Purple is used because it is the color that results from mixing all the military branch colors: Army green, Coast Guard blue, Air Force blue, Marine Corps red, and Navy blue.
Who started Purple Up Day?
It actually started as a "grassroots" effort by the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension to thank military children for their strength.
Is Purple Up Day part of a bigger celebration?
Yes, it is the highlight of the Month of the Military Child, which takes place every year throughout the entire month of April.
How can I participate if I’m not in the military?
The best part is that everyone can join! Just wear a purple shirt, tie, or scarf on April 15th to show your support.
Why is it important to recognize military children?
Military kids move an average of 6 to 9 times during their school years, often dealing with the stress of a parent being in harm's way.
Do schools celebrate Purple Up Day?
Absolutely! Many schools across the U.S. host assemblies, wear purple ribbons, and decorate hallways to make military students feel special.
What does "Military Brat" mean?
While it sounds funny, it’s actually a term of endearment and pride used within the military community to describe children raised in military families.
What if April 15th falls on a weekend?
If the 15th lands on a Saturday or Sunday, many communities and schools choose to "Purple Up" on the Friday before or the Monday after.
How many military children are there in the United States?
There are approximately 1.6 million military children who face the unique challenges of military life every single day.
What are the best hashtags to use for Purple Up Day?
The most popular ones are #PurpleUp, #MonthOfTheMilitaryChild, and #MilitaryChild to help spread the word online.
Can businesses participate in Purple Up Day?
Yes, many businesses encourage employees to wear purple or decorate their storefronts to show their appreciation for local military families.
Is there a specific shade of purple to wear?
Any shade of purple works! From light lavender to deep royal purple, the message of support is what matters most.
Top Emojis for Purple Up Day
💜
The Ultimate Purple Heart
This is the most popular way to show your love and support for military kids on social media.
🇺🇸
Stars and Stripes Pride
Since we are honoring the families serving the country, the flag is a must-have for this occasion.
💪
Resilience and Strength
Military kids are some of the toughest people we know, and this emoji celebrates their "can-do" spirit.
🎒
The School Support
Many schools lead the way on Purple Up Day, making this perfect for students and teachers participating.
🤝
Community Unity
This represents the way neighbors and friends come together to support the families who serve.
🎖️
Honoring the Sacrifice
While the parents get the medals, this emoji reminds us that the kids serve in their own special way too.
Purple Up Day Dates
Year
Date
Day
2026
Apr 15
Wednesday
2027
Apr 15
Thursday
2028
Apr 15
Saturday
2029
Apr 15
Sunday
2030
Apr 15
Monday
