George Washington's Birthday became a Federal holiday in 1880. In 1888 and 1894, respectively, Decoration Day (now Memorial Day) and Labor Day were created. In 1938, Armistice Day (now Veterans Day) was created to mark the end of World War I.
On June 30, 1973, Archie Turner was the last known person drafted into the US Army. Though he did not choose to join the Army, he chose to stay.
When the rich and politically powerful parents began having their son's drafted into the military...it was time to put their foot down!. And they rallied behind the anti-war (read anti-draft) cause. The draft (conscription) expired in the early 70's (on Nixon's watch) and was not re-newed. Although President Reagan did manage to salvage the draft registration portion.