WASHINGTON, D.C. — A large-scale military parade honoring the 250th anniversary of the United States Army is being held Saturday in Washington, D.C., featuring over 6,600 soldiers, more than 150 military vehicles, and dozens of aircraft.
The parade is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. and will proceed along Constitution Avenue NW, starting at 23rd Street and ending at 15th Street. The event follows an all-day public celebration on the National Mall that includes historical displays, military demonstrations, and interactive exhibits.
Earlier in the day, an Army fitness competition took place from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., followed by the Army Birthday Festival, which opened to the public at 11:00 a.m. Activities throughout the day have included static displays of military equipment and performances by Army musical groups.
The parade will highlight the Army’s history through reenactments and equipment representing various eras of service, beginning with the Revolutionary War. Soldiers in period uniforms will accompany vehicles and displays from major conflicts, including World War I, World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam War, Gulf War, and post-9/11 military operations.
Modern equipment in the procession includes M1A1 Abrams tanks, Stryker armored vehicles, M2 Bradley fighting vehicles, and Paladin self-propelled howitzers. Aerial elements of the event will feature flyovers by Black Hawk helicopters, Chinooks, Apaches, and historic aircraft including the B-25 Mitchell, P-51 Mustang, and C-47 Skytrain.
Following the parade, a concert and fireworks display are scheduled to take place between 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on the National Mall.
The Department of the Army has coordinated the event, with logistics and security involving multiple agencies. Measures include steel plating placed on parts of the parade route to protect road surfaces from damage caused by the heavy tracked vehicles. Aircraft flyovers and parachute demonstrations are scheduled but may be subject to change based on weather conditions.
The celebration coincides with June 14, the date the Continental Army was established in 1775. The Army has stated that the parade is intended to recognize its 250 years of service and highlight its evolution through time.