In what year was the Purple Heart first awarded?

The Purple Heart was first established in 1782. General George Washington created the Badge of Military Merit, which is recognized as the precursor to the modern Purple Heart. This was an award intended to honor soldiers who demonstrated exceptional valor in battle and was originally open to those serving in the Continental Army. The badge was meant to boost morale among the troops and reward acts of bravery, allowing for a recognition process that was less formal than military honors at the time.

The establishment of the Purple Heart in 1782 marks an important moment in military history as it was one of the first military awards for merit, setting a precedent for future awards recognizing individual acts of bravery and service.