Washington — President Donald Trump is hosting a parade in Washington, D.C., today to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army, marking the capital’s first significant military parade in over three decades.
The event, which is expected to cost between $25 million and $45 million, reflects a long-standing aspiration of President Trump to hold a military parade, a desire that originated during his first term in office.
Interestingly, the date of the parade coincides with President Trump’s 79th birthday, though he insists that this is purely coincidental.
Military parades have historical significance in the United States, though they are not commonly held and typically celebrate either the conclusion of a conflict or the return of military personnel.
Professor Brooks Simpson, a history expert at Arizona State University, notes significant differences in the size and scale of past parades compared to the one planned for this weekend.
A brief look at previous military parades in U.S. history reveals some notable instances.
The last major military parade occurred in 1991 to mark the end of the Gulf War.
This parade featured approximately 8,000 military personnel along with tanks and missile launchers, accompanied by fireworks and an address from then-President George H.W. Bush.
An estimated 800,000 people attended this event, which cost nearly $12 million at the time—equivalent to just under $29 million today.
Hunter Ledbetter, a Marine reservist who served in Iraq during the war, expressed that it was “the most exciting moment of my life.”
While the parade was generally well-received, it did attract some criticism.
Questions were raised about the cost, and officials noted the heavy tanks left significant tread marks on the city’s streets.
New York Times columnist Anthony Lewis commented on the inappropriateness of the celebration in light of the recent suppression of an uprising by Iraqi Kurds, stating, “Honor is due the soldiers who were in the gulf… But it is clear now that a celebratory parade would be inappropriate. Fireworks while Kurdish babies die?”
Presidential inaugural parades, traditionally featuring military personnel, date back to the inauguration of George Washington in 1789.
During the early Cold War period, it was not uncommon for these inaugurations to include tanks and missiles in the celebrations.
For instance, military equipment can be seen in images from the 1949 inauguration parade of President Harry Truman, as well as President Dwight Eisenhower’s inaugurations in 1953 and 1957, and President John F. Kennedy’s in 1961.
Notably, Kennedy’s inauguration also showcased a replica of the PT boat he served on during World War II.
The entire event, which cost around $1 million in 1961 dollars—more than $10 million today—was funded by private donations, according to reports from The New York Times.
Professor Simpson mentions that while inauguration parades sometimes displayed military equipment, they were typically more restrained and did not feature extensive military displays.
After the 1960s, military displays in parades became increasingly rare, possibly due to the controversial nature of the Vietnam War and the gradual easing of Cold War tensions.
As Professor Aaron O’Connell from the University of Texas, Austin, explains, such parades became more complicated in their implications because they are closely tied to the outcomes and conduct of wars.
After Vietnam, returning soldiers typically came home in smaller groups instead of large units, making celebratory parades less feasible and appropriate.
Looking back further, World War I and World War II saw significant celebrations as well.
New York City witnessed a grand parade to celebrate victory in World War II on Fifth Avenue in early 1946, featuring thousands of soldiers and military vehicles.
This massive display necessitated the closure of the Manhattan Bridge for the transport of heavy equipment from Brooklyn to the city, with millions attending the event.
Additionally, a morale-boosting “New York at War” parade was held in 1942 shortly after the U.S. entered World War II, aiming to showcase the capabilities of the American armed forces.
World War I also saw victory parades in 1919 in both New York and Washington, D.C.
However, logistical complications arose when artillery tractors got lost in Brooklyn after the New York parade.
The 19th century, particularly after the Civil War, featured significant military celebrations as well.
In May 1865, Washington hosted a massive parade known as the Grand Review of the Armies, celebrating the Union’s victory, which included over 100,000 troops.
This two-day event was attended by thousands, including prominent figures like General Ulysses S. Grant and President Andrew Johnson.
It took place just months following President Abraham Lincoln’s assassination, making it a poignant moment in U.S. history.
Internationally, President Trump’s plans may have been influenced by military parades in other nations.
After attending France’s annual Bastille Day parade in 2017, President Trump described it as “a tremendous thing” and expressed the desire to “try and top it” in the U.S.
Although his administration attempted to plan a Veterans’ Day parade the following year, those plans were ultimately scrapped when President Trump cited inflated costs from city officials.
France has hosted its Bastille Day military parade every July for over a century to honor the anniversary of the French Revolution.
Similarly, countries like India, Pakistan, Russia, and North Korea conduct regular military parades.
In the United States, however, military parades have been infrequent.
As Professor O’Connell observes, a deep-seated cultural skepticism toward state and military power has influenced the American perspective on such displays.
This ambivalence toward military parades is rooted in a historical context that poses concerns about becoming a garrison state or a militarized society.
With critiques emerging over the planned event, some Democrats have labeled the military parade as wasteful and self-serving.
In response to these criticisms, the White House has defended the parade as “a fitting tribute to the service, sacrifice, and selflessness of all who have worn the uniform.”
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