Cross of Honor of the German Mother medal, 3rd Class Order, Bronze Cross
Extent and Medium
overall: Height: 1.810 inches (4.597 cm) | Width: 1.460 inches (3.708 cm)
Archival History
The medal was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 1998 by Kevin Williams.
Acquisition
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, Gift of Kevin Williams
Scope and Content
The Mother's Cross was instituted by the Nazi Party in 1938. It was first awarded in 1939 to some 3 million mothers as a propaganda measure to promote National Socialist population policy.
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions on access
Conditions Governing Reproduction
No restrictions on use
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Bronze, cross pattee medal with a black enamel swastika in the center on a white circular field surrounded by raised, bronze-colored text. Between the triangular shaped arms is a square, bronze sunburst that emanates from the swastika. The arms are blue enamel with a white border. A blue ribbon with white stripes is threaded through a rectangular metal loop on the top of the cross. It is not sewn closed. There is text engraved on the back.
reverse, engraved : 16. / Dezember / 1938 / Adolf Hitler [in cursive]
Corporate Bodies
- Nazi Party
Subjects
- Mothers--Germany--History--20th century.
- Nazi propaganda.
- Germany--Population policy--History.
- National Socialism and women.
- Women--Germany--History--20th century.
Genre
- Awards
- Object