The U.S. Army is set to celebrate its 250th anniversary with a Grand Military Parade and Celebration, which will commence a yearlong celebration leading up to America’s 250th birthday on July 4, 2026.
The festivities will take place in downtown Washington, D.C., and the parade will be hosted by America250, a nonpartisan organization established in 2016.
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“The parade will trace the Army’s evolution from the Revolutionary War through to the U.S. Army of Tomorrow,” America250 wrote in a statement. “Attendees will experience 250 years of Army heritage through historical U.S. Army personnel reenactors, period-accurate equipment, vehicles, impressive flyovers, and military bands participating in this landmark event.”
Here’s what to know about the celebration:
When and where will the parade take place?
The route will stretch from the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, to Washington, D.C., culminating on the National Mall.
Entry will start at 8:00 a.m. for an Army fitness competition and festival in front of the White House on the Ellipse and President’s Park. Entry to the parade will begin at 2:00 p.m., and the parade will last from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. The day of events will conclude with fireworks at 9:45 p.m.
The festival is set to feature military equipment and demonstrations, live music featuring five to seven acts, and a parachute jump by the Golden Knights Parachute Team, according to the Associated Press.
The parade will take place in downtown D.C. The route will start near the Washington Monument and the Ellipse in front of the White House, pass by the Constitution Gardens and the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, and end near the Lincoln Memorial.
Trump is set to speak at the parade, saying he will join “veterans, active-duty troops, wounded warriors, Gold Star Families, and Patriotic Americans” as commander in chief, America250’s website says.
What else is significant about June 14?
June 14 marks 250 years since the day in 1775 when the military branch was established — but it also coincides with Trump’s 79th birthday and Flag Day.
Flag Day commemorates the adoption by the Second Continental Congress of the first U.S. flag. Trump told NBC that he aims to put the focus on the holiday and not on himself.
“I view it for Flag Day, not necessarily my birthday. Somebody put it together. But no, I think we’re going to do something on June 14, maybe, or somewhere around there. But I think June 14. It’s a very important day,” Trump said.
What is being brought in for the parade?
According to documents obtained by AP, the parade will include more than 6,600 soldiers from at least 11 corps and divisions.
The day will also have 150 military vehicles, including 25 M1 Abrams main battle tanks, 50 helicopters, and performances from seven military bands “to highlight the Army’s 250 years of service to the nation,” according to Army officials.
Metal plates are being placed at points along the route to protect the D.C. streets from damage by the 66.8-ton vehicles.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser told the AP, “If military tanks were used, they should be accompanied with many millions of dollars to repair the roads.”
What do donors get for contributing?
Those who donate to America250 will be given VIP access to the parade and two other military events this summer: a “military readiness” event at the Fort Bragg military base and a July 4th celebration in the nation’s capital, the Wall Street Journal reported.
The VIP event at the parade includes special seating and personal welcomes at events, according to the Economic Times.
How much will the event cost?
An Army spokesperson reported that the total cost of the events could range between $25 million and $45 million.
Trump said the cost was worth it, calling it “peanuts” when he looked at the value of celebrating the largess of the army and weaponry in America.
“Peanuts compared to the value of doing it,” Trump said on NBC’s Meet the Press earlier this month. “We have the greatest missiles in the world. We have the greatest submarines in the world. We have the greatest Army tanks in the world. We have the greatest weapons in the world. And we’re going to celebrate it.”
Some have expressed concern about the parade’s date coinciding with Trump’s birthday and his desire, since his first term, for a parade on such a large scale. In April, Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN) introduced the HAPPY BIRTHDAY Budget Act to “prohibit enacting such a plan and any future presidential birthday parades going forward,” according to a press release.
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How can you get tickets?
Tickets are available for purchase on the America250 event registration portal. According to the organization, guests are only allowed two tickets per phone number, and tickets are first-come, first-served.
Parade-goers should plan to arrive early due to security screenings, America250 says.