May 25Invasive worm species that can leap 1 foot into the air spreading across U.S.
May 25Pennsylvania's longest-married couple celebrates 80 years together
May 25Lifeguard shortage forces Central PA pools to close, reduce hours
May 25Part of Front Street in Harrisburg will be closed for Artsfest 2022
May 25Mackenzie Scott, ex-wife of Jeff Bezos, donates $1.1M to Harrisburg nonprofit
May 21Marysville residents concerned over storage center being built near neighborhood
May 21Appalachian Trail shelter closed after bear tries to enter tent
May 21After fatal fire at Hollywood recording studios, L.A. officials file building code complaint
May 21Tornado watch announced for Central PA, other parts of the state
May 21N.J. man's walk around the world to end this weekend after 25,000 miles, 7 years
May 18Family vacation turns tragic when Jersey Shore sand collapse kills 18-year-old, mom says
May 18Men stole 22K from elderly couple during Dauphin County break-in

Today in history – Pennsylvania become a Purple Heart State

Stella Porter, Editor in Chief
August 7, 2021

In 2019, Governor Tom Wolf declared Purple Heart Day in Pennsylvania.

“Through our nation’s history, Pennsylvanians have selflessly fought to preserve our freedom and protect our borders. Most have safely come home, while others have either fallen or were wounded. This is an elite group of heroes who deserves their own special day of recognition where we can all honor their bravery and incredible sacrifice,” said Wolf.

General George Washington initially introduced the Purple Heart on August 7, 1782, as the Badge of Military Merit.

Originally, the award recognized the meritorious service of soldiers in lower ranks. According to the Army, only three soldiers received the Badge of Military Merit: Sergeant Elijah Churchill, William Brown, and Sergeant Daniel Bissell, Jr.

The government would not present the award again until 1932 when the War Department announced a new design and qualifications needed to receive the medal.

HACC Purple Heart Order

It was ten years later when the award was offered to branches other than the Army and another ten years for those service members of World War I to be recognized as recipients.

Today there have been approximately 1.8 million purple hearts presented to service members according to the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor.