National Amber Alert Day

Child holding a teddy bear, surrounded by loving family, sunny park setting, all wearing yellow shirts.. — National amber alert day illustration

Hey there! Get ready to learn all about National Amber Alert Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about child abduction. It's an important day with a serious message, but we'll try to keep it light and enjoyable for you!

When is Amber Alert Day?

It's national amber alert day on the 13th January.

The Internet History of National Amber Alert Day

Created to honor the memory of Amber Hagerman, a 9-year-old girl who was abducted and brutally murdered in 1996, National Amber Alert Day has become a powerful reminder of the importance of child safety.

Amber's tragic abduction served as a catalyst for change, leading to the implementation of the Amber Alert system, a nationwide emergency response program to help locate missing children. Since its inception, the Amber Alert system has been credited with rescuing hundreds of children from dangerous situations.

Every year on January 13th, people across the United States come together to raise awareness about child abductions and promote the use of the Amber Alert system. It's a day to remind ourselves of the importance of remaining vigilant and to learn how we can support efforts to protect children in our communities.

By spreading awareness, sharing information, and staying informed about local Amber Alert situations, we can all play a part in keeping our children safe.

History behind the term 'Amber Alert'

1996

The Kidnapping of Amber Hagerman

In 1996, the term 'Amber Alert' originated as a result of a tragic event. Nine-year-old Amber Hagerman was abducted while riding her bicycle near her home in Arlington, Texas. Despite an extensive search effort, she was found dead four days later. This heartbreaking incident sparked a nationwide discussion on how to improve the response to child abductions and led to the creation of the 'Amber Alert' system.

1996

The Introduction of the Amber Alert System

Following the abduction and murder of Amber Hagerman, law enforcement agencies, broadcasters, and transportation agencies joined forces to develop a system that could quickly alert the public about child abductions. The first Amber Alert system was launched in October 1996 in Arlington, Texas, where Amber had been kidnapped. It involved broadcasting descriptions of abducted children and suspects through media outlets and highway signage.

2002

Implementation of the Amber Alert System Nationwide

The success of the initial Amber Alert system in Arlington led other states to adopt similar programs. However, these various state-level systems lacked integration, creating discrepancies in how alerts were issued and coordinated. In 2002, the U.S. Department of Justice introduced the National Amber Alert Coordinator and established guidelines for a unified, nationwide Amber Alert network.

2003

The AMBER Alert Communication Plan

To address the need for consistent communication and coordination, the AMBER Alert program developed a standardized communication plan in 2003. The plan included guidelines for issuing alerts, coordinating efforts between law enforcement agencies and media outlets, and engaging other partners, such as wireless service providers and transportation agencies, to disseminate information effectively.

2003

Expansion of the Amber Alert System Worldwide

Due to the proven success of the Amber Alert system in the United States, other countries recognized its potential to save abducted children. In 2003, Canada became the first country to implement its own version of the Amber Alert system. The idea quickly spread to various countries worldwide, leading to the establishment of similar child abduction alert systems in nations such as Mexico, Australia, and several European countries.

2013

Mobile Amber Alerts

Recognizing the widespread use of mobile phones, the Amber Alert system expanded its reach through mobile technology. In 2013, the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) system was implemented, allowing authorized government agencies to send AMBER Alerts directly to mobile devices in specific geographic areas. This integration with mobile devices significantly increased the reach and effectiveness of Amber Alerts, providing another tool to help locate missing children.

Did you know?

Did you know that the Amber in Amber Alert stands for America's Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response? It got its name from Amber Hagerman herself, and it's a fitting tribute to the brave little girl whose abduction led to the creation of this life-saving system!