Established by royal decree on 21 July 1867, the Civic Decoration is a Belgian civilian decoration awarded for exceptional acts of bravery, devotion, or humanity. The 2nd Class Medal, made of silver, honors significant contributions in these areas. Over time, it also recognized long service in civil roles, such as firefighters and Civic Guards. Wartime variants were created to honor civilians who distinguished themselves during World Wars I and II. The decoration is conferred by royal decree and reflects Belgium's appreciation for civic virtue and selfless service.