US Army to Hold Military Parade on June 14 to Mark 250th Anniversary
The White House has confirmed that a military parade will be held on June 14 to mark the US Army’s 250th anniversary, which coincidentally falls on the same day as President Donald Trump’s birthday. According to a spokesperson for the army, a "day-long festival" will be held on the National Mall in Washington DC, featuring 6,600 soldiers, 150 vehicles, and 50 aircraft.
The event was first proposed by Trump during his first term, but it was scrapped due to reports that it would have cost around $90 million (£71m). However, planning for the parade is now "actively underway", with the army exploring "options to make the celebration even bigger, with more capability demonstrations, additional displays of equipment, and more engagement with the community," as reported by the BBC.
Trump first floated the idea of a military parade during his first term, saying he wanted the US to "top" France’s Bastille Day parade, which he attended on a visit to Paris in 2017. However, the idea was abandoned due to concerns over the high cost. The president turns 79 on June 14, and it remains to be seen whether the military parade will be a major event in his birthday celebrations.
In addition to the military parade, Trump has also announced plans to rename Veterans Day, known as Remembrance Day in the UK, as "Victory Day for World War I" to celebrate American contributions to the conflict. The announcement was made on Friday, although it was not accompanied by an executive order, and it is unclear whether the president intends for 11 November to become a federal holiday – a power that rests with the US Congress.
The US has a complex history of commemorating its military victories, with VE Day on May 8 marking the end of World War Two in Europe. However, the country has not historically recognised VE Day, as it was still at war with Japan on the Pacific front for several more months after conflict ended in Europe. Veterans Day, formerly known as Armistice Day, was renamed in 1954 to honour all US military veterans.
According to the BBC, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt later denied reports that the name of Veterans Day would be changed, stating that "we will always honour Veterans Day AND we should commemorate the end of WWI and WWII as VICTORY DAYS!" The clarification comes amid confusion over Trump’s plans to rename the holiday.
The US Army’s 250th anniversary celebrations will take place on a day that also marks the end of World War I in 1918 and Germany’s surrender to the allies in 1945. As noted by the BBC, about 27 million Soviet citizens died during World War Two, which started in 1939 when Germany, alongside the Soviets, invaded Poland. The US National WWII Museum in New Orleans reports that around 418,500 Americans were killed in both the European and Pacific theatres of the conflict.
The military parade and festival on June 14 will feature a range of equipment and personnel, showcasing the capabilities of the US Army. As the BBC reports, the event will include "more capability demonstrations, additional displays of equipment, and more engagement with the community." With the US Army’s 250th anniversary celebrations set to take place on June 14, it remains to be seen how the event will be received by the public and whether it will be a major success.
The plans for a military parade and the renaming of Veterans Day have been met with mixed reactions, with some critics arguing that the events are an attempt to glorify war and militarism. However, supporters argue that the events are an opportunity to honour the sacrifices of American servicemen and women and to celebrate the country’s military achievements.
As the US Army prepares for its 250th anniversary celebrations, it is clear that the event will be a major spectacle, showcasing the capabilities of the US military. With a range of equipment and personnel on display, the event is set to be a major draw for spectators. According to the BBC, the army is exploring options to make the celebration even bigger and more engaging, with more capability demonstrations and additional displays of equipment.
The US Army’s 250th anniversary celebrations will take place on June 14, a day that also marks the birthday of President Donald Trump. With a military parade and festival planned, it is set to be a major event in the president’s birthday celebrations. As reported by the BBC, the event will feature 6,600 soldiers, 150 vehicles, and 50 aircraft, making it a major showcase for the US military.
In related news, VE Day celebrations are being held in the UK, France, Canada, and other parts of the world this year, marking 80 years since World War Two formally ended in Europe with Germany’s unconditional surrender. The occasion is one of the most important holidays in Russia, which commemorates it as the end of the "Great Patriotic War".
