Fact check: Has there ever been any other USA anniversary military parades besides the 250th?

1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, yes, there have been other military parades in the USA besides the 250th Army anniversary parade. The evidence shows a clear pattern of military parades throughout American history:

• Gulf War Victory Parade ^[1]: Multiple sources confirm that Washington hosted a victory parade in 1991 after the first Persian Gulf War ^[2]. A spectator, Mike Davis, specifically mentioned that "the last time they had a military parade of any sorts was during the Gulf War" ^[3]. This parade is referenced as the most recent comparison point, with sources noting the 2025 parade was "without comparison since 1991" ^[4].
• World War Era Parades: Historical context reveals that military parades were held after World War I and World War II, as well as during the Cold War period ^[5]. These parades typically celebrated the end of wars or other significant national events.
• Scale and Frequency: The recent Army 250th anniversary parade was described as the "largest military parade in Washington in decades" ^[6], indicating that while military parades have occurred, they are relatively infrequent events in peacetime America.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks important historical context about the nature and purpose of American military parades:

• Wartime vs. Peacetime Distinction: Sources indicate that "parades in the U.S. outside of wartime are unusual" ^[2], suggesting that most historical military parades were victory celebrations rather than anniversary commemorations.
• Political Controversy: The analyses reveal significant political opposition to military parades, with sources describing "massive protests" and criticism of the recent parade as potential "dictator behaviour" ^{[4] [7]}. This context shows that military parades are not universally celebrated in American culture.
• Cost and Resource Allocation: The recent parade was noted as "costing millions" ^[2], raising questions about the financial justification for such events that the original question doesn't address.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question, while factually neutral, contains an implicit assumption that could lead to incomplete understanding:

• Anniversary vs. Victory Parades: By specifically asking about "anniversary" parades, the question may inadvertently exclude the more common victory parades that have historically occurred in the United States. This framing could suggest that the 250th anniversary parade was more unique than it actually was.
• Scope Limitation: The question focuses solely on the existence of other parades without considering the political and cultural context that makes military parades controversial in American society, as evidenced by the protests and criticism mentioned across multiple sources ^{[7] [4]}.
• Historical Precedent: The question doesn't acknowledge that while military parades have occurred, they serve different purposes - most were victory celebrations rather than institutional anniversaries, which represents a meaningful distinction in American military tradition.