The 3rd Saturday in May is proclaimed as Armed Forces Day in the United States. For 2019, it will be May 18. This day is not to be confused with Veterans Day or Memorial Day.
The history of Armed Forces day began with President Harry S. Truman who led the effort to establish a single holiday for citizens to come together and thank our military members for their patriotic service in support of our country.
On August 31, 1949, Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced the creation of an Armed Forces Day to replace separate Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force Days.
The single day celebration stemmed from the unification of the Armed Forces under the Department of Defense. The first Armed Forces Day was celebrated on Saturday, May 20, 1950.