In the U.S.A, Armed Forces Day is celebrated annually on the third Saturday in May.

Armed Forces Week begins on the second Saturday of May and ends on the third Sunday of May, the day after Armed Forces Day. Because of their unique training schedules, National Guard and Reserve units may celebrate Armed Forces Day/Week over any period in May.
The purpose of Armed Forces day is to honor Americans serving in the five services including the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard.

On August 31, 1949, Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced the creation of an Armed Forces Day to replace separate Army, Navy and Air Force Days. The single-day celebration stemmed from the unification of the Armed Forces under one department - the Department of Defense. Each of the military leagues and orders was asked to drop sponsorship of its specific service day in order to celebrate the newly announced Armed Forces Day. The Army, Navy and Air Force leagues adopted the newly formed day. The Marine Corps League declined to drop support for Marine Corps Day but supports Armed Forces Day, too.
In a speech announcing the formation of the day, President Truman "praised the work of the military services at home and across the seas" and said, "it is vital to the security of the nation and to the establishment of a desirable peace." ... “Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 20, 1950, marks the first combined demonstration by America's defense team of its progress... It is the first parade of preparedness by the unified forces of our land, sea, and air defense“.

The theme of the first Armed Forces Day was "Teamed for Defense" to express the unification of all the military forces under a single department of the government. It was also a type of "educational program for civilians," one in which there would be an increased awareness of the Armed Forces. It was designed to expand public understanding of what type of job is performed and the role of the military in civilian life. It was a day for the military to show "state-of-the-art" equipment to the civilian population they were protecting. And it was a day to honor and acknowledge the people of the Armed Forces of the United States.
According to a New York Times article published on May 17, 1952: "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..."

General Omar N. Bradley, Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff:

•  "The heritage of freedom must be guarded as carefully in peace as it was in war. Faith, not suspicion, must be the key to our relationships. Sacrifice, not selfishness, must be the eternal price of liberty. Vigilance, not appeasement, is the byword of living freedoms. Our Armed Forces in 1950--protecting the peace, building for security with freedom -are "Teamed for Defense ..."
  
• "Real security lies in the prevention of war - and today that hope can come only through adequate preparedness" (1951)

President Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1953:
"It is fitting and proper that we devote one day each year to paying special tribute to those whose constancy and courage constitute one of the bulwarks guarding the freedom of this nation and the peace of the free world."

Admiral Forrest P. Sherman
"Today let us, as Americans, honor the American fighting man. For it is he - the soldier, the sailor, the Airman, the Marine - who has fought to preserve freedom. It is his valor that has given renewed hope to the free world that by working together in discipline and faith our ideals of freedom will always prevail."

President John F. Kennedy, 1963
"... Our Servicemen and women are serving throughout the world as guardians of peace - many of them away from their homes, their friends and their families. They are visible evidence of our determination to meet any threat to the peace with measured strength and high resolve. They are also evidence of a harsh but inescapable truth - that the survival of freedom requires great cost and commitment, and great personal sacrifice."

The Honorable Melvin Laird, Former Secretary of Defense, 1972
"At home and abroad, military men and women are showing purpose and dedication in defending American ideas. They are performing in our country's best traditions under circumstances both difficult and complex. Thanks to their determined spirit of patriotism and professionalism, our country has a powerful and unified defense team, employing its forces in the constant quest for peace and freedom."

The first Armed Forces Day was celebrated by parades, open houses, receptions, and air shows. On this holiday, there are parades and other festive activities sponsored by the military. In addition, many military bases are open to the public for tours of the facilities, ships, planes, and other military assets. Sometimes there are also public demonstrations like parachute jumps, aircraft fly-bys and other events.
This is simply a day to salute sharply to all of the men and women in all branches of the service who protect our country and you. They can be called upon at a moment's notice to perform a risky and perilous mission for freedom and country. They train diligently both physically and mentally so they will be prepared to prevail in any mission they face.

• "Canadian Forces Day" is the first Sunday in June and is strictly a celebration of Canada's armed services, their heritage, and their personnel. Many individual bases also celebrate an "Armed Forces Day" where part of a base is opened to the public for military demonstrations by various units, including airshows at air bases, and engineering, armoured and infantry displays at army bases.
• In Egypt, the Armed Forces Day is celebrated on October 6 (or in the Islamic Calendar, the 10th of Ramadan).
  In India, the Army, Navy and Air Force celebrate their own Army Day (January 15), the Navy Day (December 4) and the IAF Day (October 8) respectively.
• In Slovenia, Dan Slovenske vojske (Day of Slovenian army) is on 15 May each year.
• The Republic of China celebrates Armed Forces Day on September 3.

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