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In Recognition of Armed Forces Day
In 1949, Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson created Armed Forces Day to honor Americans serving in the various U.S. military branches (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard) to replace their individual separate days. The initiative resulted from the unification of the Armed Forces under one department -- the Department of Defense.
President Truman announced the holiday in a presidential proclamation, and the first official Armed Forces Day was held on May 20, 1950.
In 1962, President Kennedy established Armed Forces Day as an official holiday, and this year’s Armed Forces Day theme is “United in Strength,” and will be celebrated on Saturday, May 21.
Many events such as parades, multi-service military displays and other various educational activities across the United States occur on Armed Forces Day to honor Americans in uniform who served their country in times of war and peace.