Home / December

A little reason to celebrate

National Guard Birthday

History · Commemorative · December 13

Honoring the National Guard, the citizen soldiers and airmen who serve their states and the nation while keeping civilian jobs and lives.

National Guard Birthday falls on Sunday, December 13, 2026. That is 47 days away.

The National Guard is made up of people who serve part time. They train regularly while working ordinary jobs, studying, or raising families, and they stand ready to be called when they are needed. The Guard has an Army side and an Air side, and its members can serve both their home state and the country.

That double role is what makes the Guard distinctive. A governor can call Guard members to help at home, and they can also be called to federal duty alongside the active military. In practice, many people meet the Guard during hard local moments: floods, wildfires, storms and other emergencies where trucks, helicopters and trained hands arrive to help.

The Guard traces its roots to the colonial militias, groups of neighbors who agreed to defend their communities. The idea of the citizen soldier, someone who steps away from everyday life to serve and then returns to it, still sits at the center of what the Guard is.

Marking the birthday is usually simple. Units may hold ceremonies or open events, and families and coworkers of Guard members often take a moment to say thanks. Many Americans know someone in the Guard without realizing it, because the person who teaches at the local school or repairs cars down the street may spend some weekends in uniform.

That is the quiet part of Guard service. Much of it happens at drill halls and armories in towns across the country, in buildings people drive past every day.

Ways to celebrate

• Thank a National Guard member you know for their service.
• Look for a ceremony or open event at a local armory.
• Read about your state's National Guard and its history.
• Display an American flag at your home.
• Write a note of thanks to a nearby Guard unit.

Dates

All national days on December 13

Also on December 13

• National Cocoa Day
• National Day of the Horse
• National Violin Day
• National Cream Cheese Frosting Day

Categories: History daysCommemorative days