The Army is planning to celebrate its 250th birthday with a big bash in Washington, D.C., including a military parade through the nation’s capital.
The Army’s birthday celebration will involve multiple events leading up to the June 14 parade, which marks the day in 1775 when the military branch was established — and is also President Donald Trump‘s birthday.
A spokesperson for the Army said celebrations “will include a spectacular fireworks display, a parade, and a day-long festival on the National Mall.”
The festival is set to “feature displays of Army equipment, military demonstrations, musical performances, and a fitness competition” and planning for the parade is ongoing with officials saying they expect “approximately 150 vehicles, 50 aircraft, and 6,600 Soldiers to highlight the Army’s 250 years of service to the nation.”
“Given the significant milestone of 250 years, the Army is exploring options to make the celebration even bigger, with more capability demonstrations, additional displays of equipment, and more engagement with the community,” the spokesperson said.
Trump had been vocal about wanting a military parade during his first term, but plans were ultimately abandoned over rising costs. White House officials told Fox News Digital that the June military parade is one of the first events of a yearlong celebration of the nation’s 250th birthday, July 4, 2026.
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Local media outlets in the Washington, D.C., area reported on planning for the parade last month, though officials were mum on whether a parade would be officially happening.
Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said at that time she had not been directly involved, but that a parade was in the “early stages” of planning. The mayor also said if tanks were involved in the parade she hoped the federal government would pay for repairs to the roads.
