Donald Trump' s military parade to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the US army took place in Washington D.C. yesterday (June 14), where it was also Flag Day, as well as the president's 79th birthday .
As part of the event, roughly 6,600 troops, 150 vehicles, and over 50 aircraft and the procession was designed to tell the history of the Army over the course of two and a half centuries.
The last time the US organised a parade like this was back in 1991 to celebrate the end of the Gulf War, where 8,000 troops marched at the event.
Ahead of the festivities, Trump promised it would be a "spectacular military parade" that is "like no other", with the spectacle estimated to cost anywhere between $25 million and $45 million, according to Army spokesperson Heather J. Hagan.
Contributing to this price is having to repair streets in DC, which weren't built to withstand the weight of tanks and armoured vehicles - e.g. Abrams tank weighs about 70 tons (63 tonnes) and the maximum weight DC roads can cope with is 40 tons (36 tonnes), as per the DC Department of Transport.
Upon arrival at the event, Trump was greeted with a 21-gun salute and members of the crowd also sang “Happy Birthday to You.”
“Time and again, America’s enemies have learned that if you threaten the American people, our soldiers are coming for you. Your defeat will be certain, your demise will be final, and your downfall will be total and complete,“ the president said during his speech at the parade.
“The Army keeps us free, you make us strong, and tonight, you have made all Americans very proud,” he added.
At the same time, over 2,000 "No Kings" protests were taking place across the US in opposition to Trump and his administration.
Here is a photo round-up from the parade:
Elsewhere, The best signs that sum up 'No Kings' protesters' feelings about Trump , and Which celebs attended or supported the 'No Kings' protests against Trump?
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