U.S. Army 250th anniversary parade 2025 – The U.S. Army is hosting a grand military parade in Washington, D.C., on June 14, 2025, to celebrate its 250th anniversary, which coincides with President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday. The event, classified as a National Special Security Event, will feature approximately 6,600 soldiers, 150 military vehicles (including 28 M1 Abrams tanks, 28 Bradley Fighting Vehicles, and 28 Stryker vehicles), 50 helicopters, and historical reenactors in period uniforms from the Revolutionary War to modern times. The parade will start at 6:30 p.m. ET, traveling along Constitution Avenue NW from 23rd Street to 15th Street, near the National Mall. Additional events include a day-long festival on the National Mall with equipment displays, musical performances, a fitness competition, and a fireworks display at 9:45 p.m. The Army’s Golden Knights parachute team will land on the Ellipse, presenting Trump with an American flag, and Trump is expected to preside over a reenlistment ceremony for 250 soldiers.
U.S. Army 250th anniversary parade 2025 – The parade’s estimated cost ranges from $25 million to $45 million, excluding security, cleanup, and potential road repairs, with up to $16 million projected for street damage from heavy vehicles. To mitigate this, the Army will use steel plates and tank track pads. About 5,000 soldiers will be housed in government buildings, including the Department of Agriculture and General Services Administration facilities. Security measures include 18 miles of fencing, 175 magnetometers, and three public entry points, with prohibited items like backpacks and drones. The Federal Aviation Administration will halt flights at Reagan National Airport during the event’s peak.
U.S. Army 250th anniversary parade 2025 – Trump has long desired a military parade, inspired by France’s Bastille Day celebration in 2017, though a 2018 attempt was canceled due to high costs. Critics, including some lawmakers and D.C. officials, argue the event is politically charged, citing its alignment with Trump’s birthday and the high cost amid budget cuts elsewhere. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has expressed concerns about infrastructure damage, while others, like Rep. Steve Cohen, have called it a misuse of taxpayer funds. Supporters, including Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, frame it as a patriotic tribute to the Army’s legacy. Protests are planned, and public sentiment is mixed, with some viewing it as a celebration of military service and others as an ego-driven spectacle. Tickets are available through America250’s event portal.
