Military Spouse Appreciation Day 2026

National Military Spouse Appreciation Day is a presidentially-approved holiday celebrated on the Friday before Mother’s Day in May. This year it will be observed on Friday, May 8, 2026.

On Military Spouse Appreciation Day we honor the contributions and sacrifices made by military spouses. Their commitment and support help to keep our country safe. America’s military spouses are the backbone of the families who support our troops during mission, deployment, reintegration, and reset. Military spouses are silent heroes who are essential to the nation’s strength, and they serve our country just like their loved ones.

In celebration of Military Spouse Appreciation Day, the armed forces have special events and programs to inform, honor, and recognize military spouses around the world. Events range from spouse appreciation luncheons to educational workshops, and spouse employment fairs that pay tribute to military spouses.

Military Spouse Appreciation Day Ideas

Here are a few ways that you can show your appreciation to your military spouse.

• Give your military spouse a day off
• Do something he or she hates doing
• Give a token of appreciation, e.g., a care package, gift card, flowers, or anything they love
• Say “Thank You” but be creative in expressing thanks
• Have a day of pampering together
• Make dinner or surprise your spouse with breakfast
• Watch a movie or show you’d rather not watch but that they love
• Do something to solve one of their problems
• Create a coupon book for them
• Give your military spouse a list of reasons why you appreciate them
• For deployed troops, send a video message or ecard showing your appreciation

Virtual Events & Celebration

Check with your local base for virtual events and celebrations. Here are a few national virtual celebrations available to all military spouses.

• Join the Blue Star Families virtual Military Spouse Appreciation Day Town Hall on Friday, May 6 at 3 PM EST. The event will begin with a special thank you to military spouses from Mrs. Karen Pence, Second Lady of the United States. Register for Friday’s event.
• Nominate a Milspouse to Receive Free Coffee at Starbucks.
• If you’re a Military Spouse Entrepreneur, register for the More than a Milspouse Summit to invest in your career while also networking with other professionals.

History

In 1984, President Ronald Reagan recognized the profound importance of spousal commitment to the readiness and well-being of military members with Proclamation 5184, dated April 17, 1984. Congress officially made Military Spouse Appreciation Day part of National Military Appreciation Month in 1999.  Subsequently, the Department of Defense standardized the date by declaring the Friday before Mother’s Day every year as “Military Spouse Appreciation Day” to show appreciation for the sacrifices of military spouses.

Military OneSource also recognizes all of May as Military Spouse Appreciation Month, where they offer up events and helpful resources to recognize military spouse contributions.

“There is another group which deserves special thanks—the wives of our servicemen, wives who take care of the families and raise the children while their husbands are at sea or stationed far away, and wives who have left our shores to be in a faraway land with their husbands…Their contribution is critical…The understanding and encouragement they give our servicemen is something we must all be grateful for.” ~President Ronald Reagan.

Presidential Proclamation

Every year the President publishes a declaration officially recognizing Military Spouse Appreciation Day. Here is the 2025 Proclamation:

“Military spouses are the heart and soul of our Armed Forces. Their unwavering devotion and profound influence enrich our fighting forces and the communities in which they serve. On Military Spouse Day, we proudly honor the wives and husbands who embrace this noble calling.

Every day, military spouses share their loved ones with a demanding, no-fail mission. Yet their own mission is no less daunting — frequent relocations to destinations not of their choosing; heart-wrenching separations; parenting, often alone; and career continuity within a nomadic and uncertain life. Their ongoing sacrifices are intrinsically linked to family morale, readiness, and retention. We cannot maintain the world’s most lethal fighting force without the love, selflessness, and support of the military spouses who navigate the unique and challenging demands in life.

Employment is a critical challenge. Military spouses face a 21 percent unemployment rate — one of the highest demographics in the country — and a 25 percent wage gap compared to their civilian counterparts. Frequent relocations hinder job placements, career advancements, and tenures, regardless of their education and experience. During my first Administration, we made significant strides to improve military spouse employment by enhancing job opportunities within the Federal Government, expanding licensure portability, and increasing remote and flexible job options that provide continuity and financial stability for military spouses. Earlier this year, I issued a categorical exemption for military spouse employees following the return-to-office directive for Federal civilian employees, and we pledge to pursue additional innovative solutions to help military spouses thrive.

It takes uncommon devotion and steadfast love to stand alongside those who wear our Nation’s uniform. Yet, generation after generation, military spouses stand in spite of the uncertainty, global threats, increasing demands, long hours, and the deployments that last months or even years. They stand –with resilience and resolve — not in the shadow of their loved ones in uniforms, but side by side as an invaluable mission partner and a force multiplier integral to our national defense. The First Lady and I are in admiration of these volunteer patriots, heroes, and warriors. Military spouses have our unwavering support, our prayers, and the respect of a grateful Nation.” -President Donald Trump

Military Spouse Benefits

The military community, non-profits, and businesses show their appreciation for military spouses in many ways. Here are a few military spouse benefits:

• Tuition Assistance/Military Spouse Career Advancement Account (MyCAA)
• Military Spouse Scholarships
• Free On-Base Classes
• Military Discounts
• National Park and Federal Recreational Land Pass
• Morale, Welfare & Recreation
• Military Lodging, Hotels & Travel
• Military Spouse Tax Benefits
• Employment Opportunities
• License Transfer
• Unemployment Compensation due to PCS

Read more about these military spouse benefits.