Congressional Gold Medal facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Congressional Gold Medal |
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Etching of medal awarded to John Paul Jones, the only Continental Navy officer to be awarded a gold medal
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| Country | United States of America |
| Type | Civilian award |
| Awarded for | "National appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions by individuals or institutions". |
The Congressional Gold Medal is one of the oldest and most important awards for regular people in the United States. It is given by a special vote of the United States Congress. This medal shows how much the country appreciates amazing things people or groups have done. It's like the nation saying "thank you" for big achievements.
Congress started giving out gold medals during the American Revolution. At first, they were mostly for military heroes. But over time, they started honoring people from all walks of life. This includes actors, writers, musicians, explorers, scientists, athletes, and even groups. The medal honors those who have made a big impact on American history and culture.
Each Congressional Gold Medal is special. Congress has to pass a specific law to create each one. Many members of both the House and Senate must agree to even consider giving a medal. Each medal is designed uniquely and made of gold by the United States Mint. This means there are fewer Congressional Gold Medals than some other awards. You don't have to be a U.S. citizen to receive one. As of November 2023, 184 people, events, or groups have received this honor.
History of the Medal
Since the American Revolution, Congress has used gold medals to show its highest appreciation. The very first medal was given in 1776 to General George Washington. This was during the American Revolution.
At first, the medals went to military leaders from wars like the War of 1812 and the Mexican–American War. But later, Congress started giving them to many different kinds of people. This included actors, authors, musicians, and even astronauts. Explorers, lifesavers, and people in science and medicine also received them. In 1979, the American Red Cross became the first organization to get a gold medal.
A few people have even received more than one gold medal. For example, Winfield Scott received two for his military service. Zachary Taylor received three for his actions in the Mexican-American War.
How the Medal is Awarded
The Congressional Gold Medal is different from the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The President decides who gets the Presidential Medal. But for a Congressional Gold Medal, Congress must pass a special law. This law then becomes official.
To even start the process, a bill for a Congressional Gold Medal needs a lot of support. Two-thirds of the members in both the House of Representatives and the Senate must agree to sponsor the bill. Only then will special committees consider it.
The United States Mint designs each Congressional Gold Medal. They create a unique design for each person or group being honored. This means no two medals look exactly alike. These medals are usually meant to be displayed, not worn.
In some rare cases, smaller versions of the medals have been made to wear on uniforms. For example, the Byrd Antarctic Expedition Medal was made for those who explored Antarctica with Richard E. Byrd.
Often, the U.S. Mint also makes bronze copies of the medals. These are sold to the public. Sometimes, people have bought these bronze copies and then had them covered in gold. They then sold them for a lot more money.
It's important to know that the Congressional Gold Medal is not the same as the Medal of Honor. The Medal of Honor is a military award for extreme bravery. It's also different from the Congressional Space Medal of Honor, which is for achievements in space exploration.
Recipients
You can find a full list of people and groups who have received this honor here: List of Congressional Gold Medal recipients.
See also
In Spanish: Medalla de Oro del Congreso de los Estados Unidos para niños
- Awards and decorations of the United States government
- Congressional Silver Medal
- Congressional Bronze Medal
- Thanks of Congress
Images for kids
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Etching of medal awarded to John Paul Jones, the only Continental Navy officer to be awarded a gold medal
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Medal awarded to Charles A. Lindbergh in 1930
