When were National Identity cards issued before the war?

National identity cards were first issued in many countries during World War I and World War II as a means of identification and to manage resources and security during wartime. For example, in the UK, identity cards were introduced in 1939 as a response to the threat of war. Other nations followed suit, implementing similar measures to ensure public safety and streamline military conscription and resource allocation. The exact timing and implementation varied by country, reflecting their unique circumstances and needs.