During World War II, a group of Navajo Marines used their language to create a code that was never broken by the enemy. National Navajo Code Talkers Day, on August 14, honors these heroes, whose secret communications helped the United States win key battles in the Pacific. Their story is one of courage, ingenuity and service, made even more remarkable because their language had once been suppressed in government schools.
History of National Navajo Code Talkers Day
In 1942, Philip Johnston, a World War I veteran who had grown up on the Navajo Nation, proposed using the Navajo language as a military code. Navajo was unwritten and complex, and very few outsiders understood it.
The Marine Corps recruited 29 Navajo men, who created a code based on their language, using Navajo words for military terms; for example, a word for 'turtle' meant 'tank'. About 400 Navajo eventually served as Code Talkers. They took part in every major Marine operation in the Pacific, including Iwo Jima, where they sent hundreds of messages without error.
The code remained classified until 1968, so the Code Talkers could not talk about their service for years. In 1982, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed August 14 as National Navajo Code Talkers Day. In 2001, the original 29 received the Congressional Gold Medal, and others received the Congressional Silver Medal. Code talkers from other Native nations also served in both world wars.
Why National Navajo Code Talkers Day Matters
The Navajo Code Talkers made a crucial contribution to the Allied victory in the Pacific.
Their story highlights the value of Indigenous languages and cultures, which were often suppressed, including in boarding schools that punished students for speaking Navajo.
Honoring them encourages efforts to preserve Native languages and recognizes the service of Native Americans in the military, who have served at high rates.
How to Celebrate National Navajo Code Talkers Day
- Learn their story: read about the Navajo Code Talkers.
- Visit a museum: explore the Navajo Code Talkers Museum or exhibits.
- Watch a documentary: learn from interviews with Code Talkers.
- Support language preservation: learn about efforts to revitalize Native languages.
- Honor Native veterans: thank Native American service members.
Celebrating at Work, School and Home
At work, share the Code Talkers' story or invite a speaker to discuss Native American military history. In classrooms, students can learn about the Code Talkers, create their own simple codes, or study the importance of language preservation. Teachers can use resources from the Navajo Nation and the National WWII Museum. At home, families can watch a documentary, read books about the Code Talkers, or learn a few words in an Indigenous language from authoritative sources.
Fun Facts About National Navajo Code Talkers Day
- The original group included 29 Navajo Marines.
- About 400 Navajo served as Code Talkers.
- The code was declassified in 1968.
National Navajo Code Talkers Day FAQs
When is National Navajo Code Talkers Day?
August 14.
What did the Code Talkers do?
They used the Navajo language to send secret military messages in World War II.
Was the code ever broken?
No; the enemy never broke it.
When were they honored?
Reagan proclaimed the day in 1982; Congressional medals followed in 2001.