| Civic Decoration (Belgium) | |
|---|---|
 Civic Cross First Class (For Long Service in the Administration) | |
| Type | Decoration (cross and medal) |
| Awarded for | Meritorious, long service or exemplary behaviour or act |
| Presented by |  Kingdom of Belgium |
| Eligibility | Belgian civilians |
| Status | Currently awarded |
| Established | 21 July 1867 |
| Precedence | |
| Next (higher) | Order of Leopold II |
The Civic Decoration (French: Décoration Civique, Dutch: Burgerlijke Ereteken) is a civilian decoration of the Kingdom of Belgium. It was first established by royal decree on 21 July 1867 to reward exceptional acts of bravery, devotion or humanity.[1] A further royal decree of 15 January 1885 extended the award to state civil servants for long service by a mere change of ribbon.[2] The award statute was once again amended by royal decree in 1902 to include long service in the Civic Guard and firefighters, each with its distinctive ribbon.[3]
Two wartime variants were created to reward civilians who distinguished themselves during the World Wars. The Civic Decoration 1914–1915 (later dated 1918) was created on 18 May 1915 to reward civilians and non-combatants who served their country with distinction during World War I.[4] A similar Decoration was also established for World War II on 21 July 1944 by the Belgian government in exile.[5]
The Civic Decoration, previously solely awarded by Royal Decree, has been awarded directly by regions and communities since the 1993 federalisation of Belgium.
- ^ "Royal Decree of 21 July 1867 creating the Civic Decoration". Belgian Government. 1867-07-21.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|url=(help) - ^ "Royal Decree of 15 January 1885 extending the Civic Decoration to the Civil Functions of the State Administration". Belgian Government. 1885-01-15.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|url=(help) - ^ "Royal Decree of 1902 extending the Civic Decoration to the Civic Guard and firefighters". Belgian Government. 1902.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|url=(help) - ^ "Royal Decree of 18 May 1915 creating the Civic Decoration 1914–1915". Belgian Government. 1915-05-18.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|url=(help) - ^ "Decree of 21 July 1944 creating the Civic Decoration 1940–1945". Belgian Government. 1944-07-21.
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