Fact check: What other countries hold military parades for their leaders' birthdays?

1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, very few countries actually hold military parades specifically for their leaders' birthdays. The sources reveal that while military parades are common worldwide, they are typically held to commemorate national holidays, historical events, or significant anniversaries rather than personal celebrations of leaders ^{[1] [2] [3]}.

France holds its famous Bastille Day military parade every July to celebrate the anniversary of the 1789 French Revolution, not for any leader's birthday ^{[2] [3]}. Similarly, the UK's Trooping the Colour is a ceremonial event, but not specifically tied to a leader's personal birthday celebration ^[1]. Other countries mentioned - Russia, China, India, Pakistan, and North Korea - host regular military parades, but these are primarily for national holidays or to display military might rather than birthday celebrations ^{[4] [2] [3]}.

The sources indicate that North Korea is frequently cited as having grandiose military displays, and such spectacles are noted as being "common under modern authoritarians" ^[1]. However, even these are not explicitly described as birthday parades for leaders.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks important context about the distinction between national commemorative parades and personal birthday celebrations. The analyses reveal that most military parades serve broader purposes of displaying national identity, military strength, and commemorating historical events rather than celebrating individual leaders ^{[5] [3]}.

Historical authoritarian leaders like Adolf Hitler used ritualized celebrations and military parades to "bind personal power to national identity," suggesting that birthday parades for leaders are more associated with authoritarian regimes than democratic traditions ^[6]. This context is crucial for understanding why such personal celebrations are relatively rare among world leaders.

The question also misses the broader geopolitical context that military parades as personal celebrations are viewed as authoritarian displays in many democratic societies, which explains their rarity ^{[7] [6]}.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question contains an implicit assumption that multiple countries regularly hold military parades for their leaders' birthdays, when the evidence suggests this practice is actually quite uncommon. This framing could mislead readers into believing such personal military celebrations are a normal international practice.

The question may inadvertently normalize what is primarily an authoritarian practice by suggesting it's widespread among world leaders. The sources indicate that legitimate military parades in democratic countries like France and the UK are tied to national holidays and historical commemorations, not personal celebrations of current leaders ^{[1] [2] [3]}.

By asking "what other countries" hold such parades, the question presupposes that this is a common practice, when the evidence shows it's more characteristic of authoritarian regimes seeking to blend personal power with national identity ^[6].