HISTORY
 
Originally, each branch of the U.S. armed forces observed a separate holiday to honor the founding of their particular service.
 
Army Day: April 6
Air Force Day: August 1
Coast Guard Day: August 4
Navy Day: October 27
Marine Corps Day: November 10
 
On August 31, 1949, Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced the creation of Armed Forces Day to replace separate Army, Navy and Air Force Days. The new single-day celebration, the third Saturday in May, was a result of the unification of the Armed Forces under one department: the Department of Defense.  
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