- The US Army held a parade in Washington, DC, for its 250th anniversary on Saturday.
- The display featured 150 vehicles, 50 aircraft, and about 6,600 troops.
- President Donald Trump, who turned 79 on Saturday, was in attendance with Melania Trump.
President Donald Trump has long expressed interest in holding a military parade. He finally got one for his birthday.
The US Army celebrated its 250th anniversary on Saturday in Washington, DC, with a parade featuring 6,600 troops, 150 vehicles, and over 50 aircraft.
June 14 also marked Trump’s 79th birthday.
Trump attended the event accompanied by first lady Melania Trump and other family members. The president stood to salute troops as they passed his viewing box.
In May, a US Army spokesperson told CNBC that the event could cost between $25 million and $45 million in total.
Prior to the parade, the National Mall was lined with displays of tanks, planes, cannons, and other weaponry to educate onlookers about the US Army’s history and modern capabilities.
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The US Army also held a fitness competition where service members competed against one another in various drills.
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Anti-Trump “No Kings” counterprotests, organized by the grassroots group 50501, were held nationwide ahead of the parade.
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Protest signs across the country condemned Trump’s policies and expressed support for progressive causes.
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President Donald Trump attended the parade with first lady Melania Trump. Vice President JD Vance and second lady Usha Vance were also present.
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The Trump family members in attendance included Donald Trump Jr. and girlfriend Bettina Anderson, Eric and Lara Trump, and Tiffany Trump’s husband, Michael Boulos.
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The parade featured service members dressed in historic uniforms dating back to the Revolutionary War, honoring the origins of the US Army.
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Historic tanks such as the Sherman tank used in World War II rolled through the streets.
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The parade also featured more modern tanks such as M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicles, which the US used in the Iraq War and provided to Ukraine amid the ongoing war with Russia.
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Service members driving the vehicles waved and gestured at the crowds, who braved rainy weather to watch the festivities.
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The Golden Knights, the US Army’s parachute demonstration and competition team, leapt from planes and landed in front of the White House during the parade.
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Lines of uniformed service members stretched all the way down Constitution Avenue.
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B-25 and P-51 planes performed flyovers despite foggy skies.
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Army helicopters flew in formation over the National Mall.
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After the parade, the night ended with fireworks to celebrate the US Army’s 250th birthday and Trump’s 79th.
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