Politics
WATCH: Historic Military Parade For Army’s 250th Birthday Gets Underway
The historic military parade aimed at honoring the 250th anniversary of the United States Army is underway in Washington D.C. after an early start ahead of expected thunder storms.
Undeterred by anti-ICE protests, thousands of veterans, active duty service members and patriotic Americans flocked to Washington D.C. on Saturday for the historic occasion. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump received a warm welcome from the crowd when they were introduced following a gun salute, after which the crowd erupted into chants of “USA!”
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Vice President JD Vance also received a warm round of applause after they were introduced.
The parade stretches down Constitution Avenue, beginning near the Lincoln Memorial and concluding near the Washington Monument at about 9:30 p.m., Fox News reported. The parade honors the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Army — which was established one year before the signing of the Declaration of Independence — and also coincides with Flag Day and Trump’s 79th birthday.
The event was commissioned as a part of Trump’s “Task Force 250,” which was established to coordinate events for America’s 250th anniversary on July 4, 2026.
Trump announced earlier this week that the parade will be honoring active duty troops, as well as veterans as all of the nation’s wars. Soldiers dressed in period appropriate uniforms for every conflict dating back to the American Revolution will be streaming down the parade route.
Each unit will also receive a salute from President Trump as they stream down Constitution Avenue.
A number of iconic American military vehicles are also being featured in the parade, including WW2 era M4 Sherman tanks and M3 Stuart light tanks. Aerial vehicles, including the Bell UH-1 Iroquois, commonly known as the “Huey,” could be seen flying overhead of downtown D.C.
As the soldiers and vehicles make their way down the street, a narrator provides overviews of the exploits of some of the Army’s most prestigious units and the history of America’s military involvement.
Security around the parade has been incredibly tight as a result of the nationwide “No Kings” demonstrations, which drew sizable crowds in deep blue Washington D.C.
Secret Service, police officers and military members stationed along entry checkpoints and walking among the throngs of parade attendees, Fox News reported. Attendees also were required to go through metal detectors and undergo additional pat-downs to reach the parade route.
