When Is Armed Forces Day 2025, and Why Do We Celebrate It?

Yahoo

17-05-2025

Armed Forces Day 2025 is in May—this weekend!—and marks an important opportunity to honor service members from every branch of the U.S. military. But what exactly is Armed Forces Day, and how does it differ from Veterans Day and Memorial Day? We're looking at some common questions you may have about this May holiday, including 'When is Armed Forces Day 2025?' and 'What is Armed Forces Day?'Related:
This year, Armed Forces Day will be on Saturday, May 17, 2025.
Armed Forces Day is a joint celebration of all five branches of the U.S. military: the Army, the Navy, the Coast Guard, the Marine Corps and the Air Force. The day honors all people currently serving in the U.S. armed forces.Armed Forces Day is often marked with parades, flyovers, marches and other public events.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced the creation of Armed Forces Day in 1949 to replace the separate celebrations of Army Day, Navy Day and Air Force Day. The new Armed Forces Day reinforced the unification of those U.S. military branches under one central agency, the Department of Defense."Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 20, 1950, marks the first combined demonstration by America's defense team of its progress, under the National Security Act, toward the goal of readiness for any eventuality," President Truman said in an address during the first Armed Forces Day. "It is the first parade of preparedness by the unified forces of our land, sea and air defense."Related: The 15 Best Patriotic Movies of All Time
Armed Forces Day began in 1950 when President Harry Truman wanted to establish a day that would jointly celebrate the branches of the U.S. military, which had recently been united under the new Department of Defense. Previously, military branches had organized their own separate days of celebration.The first Armed Forces Day was marked with parades and air shows around the country, including a march in Washington, D.C., of more than 10,000 troops and cadets from every part of the military.
Armed Forces Day honors all current members of the U.S. armed forces."This is the day on which we have the welcome opportunity to pay special tribute to the men and women of the Armed Forces...to all the individuals who are in the service of their country all over the world," the New York Times described the day in 1952. "Armed Forces Day won't be a matter of parades and receptions for a good many of them. They will all be in line of duty and some of them may give their lives in that duty."Related:
These three holidays should not be confused. Memorial Day is a federal holiday that remembers and mourns people who have died in U.S. military service. Veterans Day, also a federal holiday, honors the service of all U.S. military veterans, both living and deceased.Armed Forces Day, meanwhile, celebrates everyone currently serving in the U.S. armed forces. Unlike Memorial Day and Veterans Day, Armed Forces Day is not an official federal holiday.
The theme of the first Armed Forces Day in 1950 was 'Teamed for Defense.' This theme reflected the recent unification of the U.S. armed forces under the Department of Defense.Related: Memorial Day Quotes
The purpose of Armed Forces Day is to honor the men and women who serve in each branch of the U.S. military. Armed Forces Day falls on the third Saturday in May each year. In 2025, it will fall on May 17.
There are a number of ways to honor Armed Forces Day. Some of the best options include flying the American flag, attending parades/community events and thanking military members/veterans for their service to the country.
Veterans Day, which falls on Nov. 11, honors all veterans of the U.S. military, both those living and those who have passed away. Armed Forces Day, on the other hand, celebrates all current members of the U.S. armed forces.
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