Fact check: What military parades have been held in Washington DC in recent years?

1. Summary of the results

Two significant military parades have been held in Washington DC in recent decades:

• 1991 National Victory Celebration parade:
• Honored Gulf War troops
• Featured 10,000 troops, tanks, and 82 military aircraft ^[1]
• 2025 Army 250th Anniversary parade (most recent):
• Held on Saturday, June 14, 2025 (coinciding with Trump's 79th birthday) ^[2]
• Featured over 6,000 soldiers from every Army division ^[3]
• Included 128 military vehicles, tanks, and a 21-gun salute ^[4]
• Displayed 49 aircraft, 25 horses, two mules, and one dog ^[3]
• President Trump watched from a special viewing stand on Constitution Avenue ^[4]

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Several important contextual points emerge from the analyses:

• The 2025 parade was the first such military parade in Washington DC since 1991 ^[5], marking a 34-year gap between major military parades
• The parade was specifically designed as both:
• A celebration of the Army's 250th anniversary ^[5]
• A fulfillment of President Trump's long-standing desire for a military parade ^[4]
• The event featured both modern and historical military equipment ^[2]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The question itself is neutral, but there are several potential angles of bias in how this information might be presented:

• Political implications: The timing of the parade on Trump's birthday and his long-standing desire for such a display suggests potential political motivations ^{[4] [2]}
• Historical significance: While some might view this as purely a military celebration, it's worth noting that such parades are rare in Washington DC, with only two major ones in over three decades ^[5]
• Scale comparison: While the 2025 parade was significant with 6,000+ troops, it was actually smaller than the 1991 parade which had 10,000 troops ^{[1] [3]}

The presentation of these parades can vary depending on whether the focus is on military celebration, political implications, or historical significance.