Military equipment is on its way to Washington, D.C., as the United States government plans a dual celebration of the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary and President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday on June 14.

The parade will feature a formidable arsenal of military equipment, with approximately 7 million pounds of machinery and weaponry being shipped into the capital. Approximately 6,600 to 7,000 soldiers, reenactments with period costumes, and military bands are also expected. The Golden Knights, the Army’s parachute show team, will cap the event by presenting President Trump with an American flag.

Most of the heavy equipment, including the tanks and armored vehicles, is being transported from Fort Cavazos in Texas to Maryland by train, then trucked into D.C.. To protect city infrastructure from damage by the 68- to 70-ton tanks, the Army Corps of Engineers is installing steel plates and matting along the parade route, particularly at sharp turns. Vehicles are also being fitted with new track pads to minimize impact on the pavement, and the tanks will move at a walking pace.

The cost of the parade is projected to reach up to $45 million. Up to $16 million is allocated for post-parade road repairs, while remaining funds cover equipment transport, troop accommodations in federal buildings, and security.

Trump, who is encouraging cuts to SNAP, Medicaid and certain Veteran benefits through the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”, told NBC the cost of the parade is “Peanuts compared to the value of doing it. 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.”

Critics, including members of Congress, have questioned the expenditure, especially as it comes amid federal budget cuts and outstanding reimbursements to the National Guard for previous events. Supporters, however, argue the parade is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to honor the Army and inspire future generations.

While the Army’s 250th anniversary is the official reason for the parade, its timing on Trump’s birthday and the scale of the military display have sparked debate over its intent and cost.

This isn’t the first time a military parade has been held in the United States. Other parades include:

Here is a list of notable United States military parades throughout history:

• Grand Review of the Armies (1865): Held in Washington, D.C., on May 23–24, 1865, after the Civil War, this massive parade featured Union soldiers marching twelve abreast, stretching for seven miles.
• Army Day Parade (1942): Over 30,000 men and women marched down Fifth Avenue in New York City to mark Army Day during World War II.
• New York Victory Parade (1946): Celebrated Allied victory in World War II, with more than 10,000 soldiers and dozens of tanks parading through New York City.
• Presidential Inaugural Parades:
  • Dwight D. Eisenhower (1953, 1957): Both inaugurations featured large military parades, including 22,000 service members and military hardware such as a nuclear-capable cannon and the Redstone ballistic missile.
  • John F. Kennedy (1961): Included dozens of missiles and Navy boats, highlighting Cold War military strength.
• Armed Forces Day Parades (from 1950): Annual parades across the country to honor all branches of the military, with notable events in Washington, D.C., and New York City.
• Gulf War Victory Parades (1991):
  • National Victory Celebration (Washington, D.C.): On June 8, 1991, 8,000 troops, tanks, Patriot missiles, and stealth fighters paraded before 200,000 spectators.
  • New York City Parade: On June 11, 1991, more than 24,000 marchers from 17 countries participated, with over four million spectators.
• Salute to America Parade (2019): President Trump hosted a military parade on July 4, 2019, in Washington, D.C., featuring tanks, flyovers, and a presidential speech at the Lincoln Memorial.

More than 1,500 cities across all 50 states have “No Kings” protests planned for June 14. Organized by a coalition of over 100 pro-democracy groups, the “No Kings” day is described as a nationwide day of defiance against what organizers call an authoritarian display of power. The protests are deliberately not being held in Washington, D.C., to avoid direct confrontation and to contrast the centralized spectacle with decentralized, grassroots expressions of democratic dissent.