Many Americans will celebrate Armed Forces Day Saturday, May 21, 2016, but how many of us can say we know what the holiday truly represents? 

On August 31, 1949, Louis Johnson, then Secretary of Defense, declared the creation of an Armed Forces Day. This one day of recognition was a replacement for the separate Army, Navy and Air Force Days. The newly created day was also a symbol of unity for the branches of service; all military forces were united under the Department of Defense.

Each branch was to drop the celebration of their individual days and adopt the newly formed day. The Marine Corps League declined to drop honoring Marine Corps Day, also known as the Marine Corps Birthday, but supports Armed Forces Day as well.

The first Armed Forces Day was celebrated on Saturday, May 20, 1950. “Teamed for Defense” was chosen as the first theme to express the unification of all military forces under one government department.

The U.S. Department of Defense has stated that Armed Forces Day should allow for the military to expand public interest and understanding of what type of jobs are performed in the military branches by letting members of the military interact with civilians in "state-of-the-art" demonstrations. These performances would create a day to honor and acknowledge Americans currently serving in the United States Armed Forces. 

Armed Forces Day is to be celebrated nationwide on the third Saturday of May, each year, and is a part of Armed Forces Week.