National Missing Children's Day in United States

National Missing Children's Day is an annual observation in the United States designed to highlight the problem of child abduction. It falls on May 25 - on that date in 1979, six-year-old New Yorker Ethan Patz disappeared on his way to school. National Missing Children's Day was first observed in 1983.

National Missing Children's Day raises awareness of the threat of child abduction.

©iStockphoto.com/hammondovi

What do people do?

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children annually holds events on and around National Missing Children's Day to raise awareness of the threat of child abduction, inform families about ways to keep their children safe and support victims' families. The center's initiative “Take 25” encourages parents, guardians and educators to take 25 minutes to talk to children about safety.

Public life

National Missing Children's Day is a nation-wide observance in the United States but not a public holiday.

Background

National Missing Children's Day was first observed in 1983, following a proclamation by U.S. president Ronald Reagan. In the years 1979 to 1981, a series of child abductions shocked the American public. Ethan Patz was six years old when he disappeard on his way to school on May 25, 1979. Although he was never found, the boy was legally declared dead in 2001. His case received a large amount of media attention and ultimately lead to the formation of the missing children's movement. National Missing Children's Day falls on the anniversary of his disappearance.

External link

Learn more about the campaign “Take 25” and get involved!

National Missing Children's Day Observances

Other holidays in May 2013 in United States

• Law Day ―Wednesday, May 1, 2013
• Loyalty Day ―Wednesday, May 1, 2013
• National Day of Prayer ―Thursday, May 2, 2013
• Orthodox Good Friday ―Friday, May 3, 2013
• World Press Freedom Day ―Friday, May 3, 2013
• Rhode Island Independence Day ―Saturday, May 4, 2013
• Orthodox Holy Saturday ―Saturday, May 4, 2013
• Orthodox Easter ―Sunday, May 5, 2013
• Cinco de Mayo ―Sunday, May 5, 2013
• Orthodox Easter Monday ―Monday, May 6, 2013
• National Nurses Day ―Monday, May 6, 2013
• Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for Those Who Lost Their Lives during the Second World War ―Wednesday, May 8, 2013
• Truman Day ―Wednesday, May 8, 2013
• Ascension Day ―Thursday, May 9, 2013
• Confederate Memorial Day ―Friday, May 10, 2013
• World Migratory Bird Day ―Saturday, May 11, 2013
• Mother's Day ―Sunday, May 12, 2013
• Peace Officers Memorial Day ―Wednesday, May 15, 2013
• Shavuot ―Wednesday, May 15, 2013
• International Day of Families ―Wednesday, May 15, 2013
• National Defense Transportation Day ―Friday, May 17, 2013
• World Information Society Day ―Friday, May 17, 2013
• Armed Forces Day ―Saturday, May 18, 2013
• Pentecost ―Sunday, May 19, 2013
• Whit Monday ―Monday, May 20, 2013
• World Autoimmune Arthritis Day ―Monday, May 20, 2013
• World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development ―Tuesday, May 21, 2013
• National Maritime Day ―Wednesday, May 22, 2013
• Emergency Medical Services for Children Day ―Wednesday, May 22, 2013
• International Day for Biological Diversity ―Wednesday, May 22, 2013
• Harvey Milk Day ―Wednesday, May 22, 2013
• Towel Day ―Saturday, May 25, 2013
• African Liberation Day ―Saturday, May 25, 2013
• Trinity Sunday ―Sunday, May 26, 2013
• Jefferson Davis Birthday ―Monday, May 27, 2013
• Memorial Day ―Monday, May 27, 2013
• International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers ―Wednesday, May 29, 2013
• Corpus Christi ―Thursday, May 30, 2013
• World No Tobacco Day ―Friday, May 31, 2013