License plates often feature symbols or designs that tell a story, but few carry as much meaning as the gold star. This small emblem is not decorative. It represents sacrifice, remembrance, and a family’s profound loss in service to the nation. A gold star on a license plate indicates that the driver is an immediate family member of a service member who died while serving in the U.S. military. It is a public acknowledgment of the ultimate sacrifice made by their loved one and a quiet reminder to others of the cost of freedom.

The tradition traces back to World War I. In 1917, Army Captain Robert L. Queisser created the Blue Star Service Banner to honor his sons serving overseas. Families soon adopted the banner, displaying a blue star for each active-duty member. When a service member was killed, the blue star was replaced with a gold one, transforming the symbol into a mark of loss and honor.

That same year, President Woodrow Wilson approved the use of gold stars on black armbands worn by mothers who had lost sons in combat. This led to the formation of American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. in 1928, an organization dedicated to supporting grieving families and preserving the legacy of fallen service members.

In 1936, Congress officially designated the last Sunday of September as Gold Star Mother’s Day, recognizing the enduring sacrifice of these families. Today, many states offer gold star license plates to eligible family members. Displaying one is a lasting tribute—an everyday reminder that behind every gold star is a story of courage, service, and love.