When was the law compulsory military service for white boys and men passed?

The law for compulsory military service for white boys and men in the United States, known as the Selective Service Act, was first passed on May 18, 1917, during World War I. This act allowed the federal government to draft men into military service, which was later expanded and revised in subsequent years, notably during World War II and the Vietnam War. Ultimately, the draft was suspended in 1973, transitioning the U.S. military to an all-volunteer force.