On June 1, 2026, a flag flew above the United States Capitol in honor of Marilyn Monroe’s 100th birthday.
It is a fitting tribute to an extraordinary American life.
Marilyn worked in a defense factory during World War II. She traveled to Korea in 1954 to entertain American servicemen, performing for thousands of troops in bitter winter conditions. Throughout her life, she maintained a deep affection for those who served and understood the extraordinary reach of the platform she had been given.
She became one of America’s great cultural icons, but behind that image was a woman who worked, persevered, challenged convention and gave back.
As we continue to celebrate her 100th birthday, we remember Marilyn not simply for her fame, but for her contribution to American culture, her support of our servicemen and women, and the humanity behind an enduring American icon.
Through the Marilyn Monroe Mental Health for the Arts Program, we are carrying that spirit of service forward —turning remembrance into something that can help others.
