July 1, 2006, 11:03 AM EDT

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) _ Gold Star mothers who lost sons and daughters in military conflicts will be honored on the last Sunday of September, beginning this year.

Gold Star Mothers' Day will be the state's 20th day of commemoration, a day set aside to recognize a person, event or cause. It is not a holiday.

"As we approach the celebration of the anniversary of our nation's independence, it is particularly timely that we honor the Gold Star mothers who have sacrificed so much so that their sons and daughters could protect and defend the freedom that our forefathers fought to achieve for us," said Gov. George Pataki.

Harriet Tubman of the Underground Railroad and women's rights leader Elizabeth Cady Stanton also have days of commemoration.

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