National Missing Children’s Day

National Missing Children’s Day is an American day of remembrance dedicated to missing children. It is a time of great grief for parents, as they often do not even know what happened to their child. The holiday aims to reduce the number of kidnappings and increase the effectiveness of investigations. It is observed annually on May 25.

History

The history of National Missing Children’s Day begins in 1983, when it was established by President Ronald Reagan. The president sought to draw public attention to the problem of child abduction, which became particularly alarming in 1979-1981, when a series of kidnappings swept the United States.

The date of the observance was chosen in honor of the first widely publicized abduction, which occurred on May 25, 1979. On that day, Etan Patz (age 6) went missing on his way to school in New York City. Although he was never found, the suspect was eventually convicted, with the sentence imposed much later, in 2017.

Interesting Facts

• In 1984, the United States Congress created the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC). The NCMEC brought together groups of individuals and investigators to handle missing children cases.
• During the observance of this day, people are encouraged to support the Take 25 initiative, which invites parents to spend 25 minutes teaching their children the basic rules of safe behavior in public and with strangers.
• Every year, more than 400,000 children go missing in the United States.
• Children may be abducted for ransom, or trafficked for sexual exploitation or other forms of slavery.

How to Celebrate

Research recent missing child cases in your city or state. Teach your children the basic rules for staying safe in public and when encountering strangers.

Share information about National Missing Children’s Day on social media. Ask users if they have ever experienced a child abduction situation. Encourage them to share their stories.

When is National Missing Children’s Day in 2025?

National Missing Children’s Day is observed on May 25 each year.

Observations