Celebrated the third Saturday of May, Armed Forces Day recognizes the men and women currently serving in all branches of the U.S. Military. The first Armed Forces Day was held in 1950 following the unification of all branches under the Department of Defense in 1949.
According to the Department of Defense, "in a speech announcing the formation of the day, President Harry S. Truman 'praised the work of the military services at home and across the seas' and said, 'it is vital to the security of the nation and to the establishment of a desirable peace.'"