Background
National Missing Children’s Day was first observed in 1983, following a proclamation by U.S. president Ronald Reagan. In the years 1979 to 1981, a series of child abductions shocked the American public.
Ethan Patz was six years old when he disappeared on his way to school on May 25, 1979. Although he was never found, the boy was legally declared dead in 2001. His case received a large amount of media attention and ultimately lead to the formation of the missing children’s movement. National Missing Children’s Day falls on the anniversary of his disappearance.
Abandoned swing as a symbol of the missing child. The forget-me-not flower is the symbol of International Missing Children’s Day.
Source: Text: timeanddate.com Image: cute calendar, heyevent, Source: Text & Image: International Centre for missing and exploited children