The history of the Australian Army dates back to colonial forces prior to the Federation of Australia in 1901. Some of the colonial forces, which served the states of Australia at the time, were gradually united into federal units between 1899 and 1903; thus forming the beginning of the Australian Army. The colonial armies were officially united as the Commonwealth Military Forces by the Defence Act 1903 (Cwlth). Since then, the Australian Army as an organisation has changed to suit to needs of the nation, with particular changes occurring during and following the World Wars, Korean War, Vietnam War and Gulf War. In 1916 the title 'Australian Military Forces' was adopted and remained its official name until 1980, after which it became known as the Australian Army.