US Army's 250th anniversary a celebration that coincides with Trump's birthday. How to attend
Cheryl McCloud- The Army is planning a week-long celebration, starting June 7, through Flag Day, on June 14.
- June 14 also happens to be President Trump's 79th birthday.
- The latest price tag for the Army celebration is $40 million.
How do you celebrate the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary, Flag Day and President Trump's birthday?
With a parade, of course. Oh, and fireworks and a festival.
The Army is planning a week-long celebration, starting Saturday, June 7, through Flag Day, on June 14.
June 14 also happens to be Donald Trump's birthday. He was born June 14, 1946, and will turn 79 this year.
Here's everything you should know about the celebrations and how to get tickets.
What is US Army's theme for the birthday celebration?
"This year’s birthday theme, “This we’ll defend,” was first used as a battle cry by the Continental Army," the Army posted on its website.
"Today, it reminds us that our Army’s purpose is clear: to fight and win the nation’s wars. We remain committed to honing our warfighting skills, enforcing standards and discipline, and living the values that have defined our Army for the past 250 years."
What activities are part of the Army's birthday celebration June 7-14, 2025?
- June 7-8
- A new exhibit at the National Museum of the United States Army called “Call to Arms: The Soldier and the Revolutionary War” will be open and free to the public. Opens at 10 a.m.
- June 11
- Twilight Tattoo will be held at 7 p.m. at Summerall Field at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Virginia. The action-packed military experience will feature soldiers from the U.S. Army Military District of Washington's ceremonial units, the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) and The U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own." It will be livestreamed on @USArmy social media platforms.
- June 13
- The Army birthday run (or walk) will start at 7 a.m. at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall.
- Army Day with the Washington Nationals will begin at 6:45 p.m. Army leaders and personnel will hold their annual Army-focused celebration as the Washington Nationals play the Miami Marlins.
- June 14
- The Army Birthday Wreath Laying at Arlington National Cemetery will take place at 8:15 a.m.
- Army Birthday Festival will take place on the National Mall from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. This event is open to the public with opportunities to interact with soldiers, watch military demonstrations, explore equipment static displays, and listen to live music throughout the day.
- The Army fitness competition and awards will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- At 6:30 p.m. ET, the Army Birthday Parade will celebrate the Army’s history and will feature Army equipment, flyovers and 6,600 Soldiers in uniforms from the past and the present. The parade will last until 7:30 p.m. It will cross in front of Trump's viewing stand on Constitution Avenue, just south of the White House, around sundown.
- A concert at the Ellipse begins at 7:30 p.m.
- The day will end with an enlistment and re-enlistment ceremony, a parachute demonstration by the Golden Knights and a fireworks display. Trump is expected to attend the enlistment ceremony.
- Fireworks start at 9:45 p.m.
Want to attend the Army parade? Registration is recommended
The festival is free and open to the public on the National Mall, but to reduce wait times, registration is recommended. The parade will take place on Constitution Ave Northwest between15th and 23rd Streets.
Guests can register up to two per mobile number per event by going to U.S. Army Grand Military Parade and Celebration's website. You'll be asked to provide your full name, phone number, email, state and zip code.
A confirmation SMS will be sent to your phone, and you will not be registered until you verify by phone.
➤ See the parade route and festival location
Army's 250th Birthday Festival to be held on National Mall
Held on the National Mall, the Army's 250th Birthday Festival is free. The festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The fitness competition begins at 9:30 a.m.
Enter and exit through security gates at Seventh Street. Visitors are encouraged to take the Metro or use street parking or public parking garages. The north entrance of the Smithsonian Metro Station (the Mall entrance) will be closed.
How much will military parade, activities cost?
The latest price tag for the massive event is $40 million, which includes the cost of repairing streets expected to be damaged by Army tanks.
The Army has said the parade is costly, but said the expense is justified.
Tens of millions spent on a parade “is dwarfed by 250 years of service and sacrifice by America’s Army,” spokesman Steve Warren told reporters recently.
Is Army birthday celebration more about President Trump? Some wonder
Neither the Navy, nor the Marine Corps, which also both celebrate their 250th birthdays later this year, plan parades similar to what the Army has planned for June 14.
“It is Donald Trump who is the focus of his own attention, and the Army birthday just happened to be a convenient excuse,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut. “He might well celebrate all our military services together since their birthdays are imminent."
The administration said the Army’s anniversary and Trump’s birthday are a coincidence and the parade is justified to honor soldiers’ sacrifice.
“The President is planning an historic celebration of the Army’s 250th birthday that will honor generations of selfless Americans who have risked everything for our freedom,” Domestic Policy Council Director Vince Haley said in a statement last month.
Contributing: Tom Vandeen Brook, Amaris Encinas, USA Today-Network