A grand parade took place on Constitution Avenue in Washington, D.C. on Saturday, celebrating the 250th birthday of the U.S. Army.
The event was marked by a procession of tanks, troops, and aircraft flyovers, despite the off-and-on rainfall throughout the day.
Coinciding with this significant military milestone was the 79th birthday of President Donald Trump, who was seen in a special viewing area alongside First Lady Melania Trump.
Although the festivities drew large crowds, the day was also overshadowed by protests across the country, specifically by those who labeled President Trump a dictator in the “No Kings” demonstrations.
Doubts were raised regarding the expense of the event, which was projected to be around $45 million, and local residents expressed apprehension about the structural damage that military tanks and other artillery could inflict upon the city.
The celebration concluded later in the evening with a series of musical performances following a vibrant fireworks display.
The timeline of the celebration captured key moments from the day as they unfolded:
At 8:55 p.m., the parade festivities reached their climax as musical performances wrapped up the evening’s events.
Right before that, at 8:40 p.m., a spectacular fireworks show began, lighting up the night sky.
Prior to the fireworks, President Trump addressed the gathered crowd at 8:20 p.m., prompting audience members to serenade him with a rendition of “Happy Birthday.”
In a related speech, Vice President JD Vance spoke to the audience at 8:15 p.m., extending birthday wishes to both the Army and President Trump, while also celebrating the anniversary of Second Lady Usha Vance.
The parade officially came to a close at 8:05 p.m., after which performances and speeches commenced leading up to the fireworks display.
At 7:55 p.m., President Trump administered an oath to 250 new recruits and soldiers who were re-enlisting.
Standing at a podium, he encouraged the new servicemen and women, stating, “Congratulations, congratulations. Welcome to the United States Army! And have a great life.”
Earlier in the day at 7:48 p.m., the U.S. Air Force Thunderbird flyover scheduled for the parade was confirmed canceled due to the inclement weather, a shift that was communicated to Scripps News.
Despite this setback, the 7:45 p.m. parade showcased a future Army era, featuring a performance by the band of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point alongside new enlistees, cadets from the Texas A&M Army Corps of Cadets, and robotic dogs that marched in unison with military personnel.
At 7:10 p.m., attention turned to the modern Army era, highlighted by a dramatic display of various heavy tanks, artillery, drones, and helicopters touted as essential for upcoming conflicts.
Among the assets showcased were numerous Black Hawk helicopters, various types of artillery, and the HIMARS High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, which has gained prominence due to Ukraine’s ongoing conflict with Russia.
Transitioning to the Desert Storm era at 6:46 p.m., soldiers donned the iconic Desert Battle Dress Uniform, famously known for its “chocolate-chip camouflage.”
They were accompanied by Bradley fighting vehicles, which have been utilized since the 1960s and have seen extensive action in conflicts, including support for Ukraine in their struggle against Russian forces.
This segment featured soldiers from the 1st Infantry Division based at Fort Cavazos, soon to be renamed Fort Hood, as validated by The Associated Press.
The Vietnam War era segment followed at 6:40 p.m., showcasing troops dressed in period uniforms, which were preceded by a dramatic flyover of Bell UH-1 Iroquois helicopters, affectionately nicknamed “Hueys” and legendary for their use during the Vietnam War.
At approximately 6:35 p.m., soldiers from the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division marched past the Presidential viewing stand wearing World War I era uniforms.
The historic aspects of the parade included six vintage jeeps, which represented equipment utilized during World War II.
The parade officially commenced a bit earlier than scheduled at 6:20 p.m., amid rain showers that persisted in Washington.
Officials had confirmed that the celebrations would continue regardless of the wet weather conditions.
As the parade began amidst the rain, President Trump and the First Lady were positioned at a special viewing stand adjacent to the White House, with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth flanking them.
Starting the procession was The Old Guard, the Army’s oldest active-duty infantry regiment that dates back to 1784.
They set the stage for the event, forming a backdrop to the Golden Knights parachute team who earlier performed a daring display over The Ellipse, before heavy rain began to intensify.
Initially, this airborne unit was scheduled to conclude the parade but their appearance was moved up due to the weather conditions.
Following them were the soldiers from the 1st Cavalry Division from Texas, who adorned the route with a sense of pride and tradition.
image source from：https://www.scrippsnews.com/life/holidays-and-celebrations/how-to-watch-us-armys-250th-birthday-celebration-parade-and-fireworks
