The convergence of the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary with former President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday has sparked attention, drawing references to military displays worldwide that serve a multitude of political and cultural aims.
Throughout history, countries have hosted similar events, be they from longtime NATO nations, authoritarian regimes, or darker past regimes.
**France: Bastille Day and Trump’s Inspiration**
The tradition of military parades is epitomized by France’s Bastille Day celebration on July 14, which marks a turning point in the French Revolution. The tradition largely influenced Trump’s ambition for an American equivalent.
On July 14, 1789, revolutionaries seized the Bastille prison, marking a critical event against King Louis XVI’s administration. The subsequent year saw the Revolutionaries establish a national unity celebration, even as the First French Republic wouldn’t form for two more years.
Each year since 1880, the Bastille Day parade embarks down the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, passing the renowned Arc de Triomphe and concluded before the French leadership and international dignitaries.
Trump attended the event in 2017, observing the grandeur with U.S. troops as invited participants. He was notably impressed, remarking to French President Emmanuel Macron, “It was one of the greatest parades I’ve ever seen… We’re going to have to try and top it.”
**The UK Sets Ceremonial Benchmarks**
In the United Kingdom, King Charles III, despite being a ceremonial leader, represents the UK armed forces decked in elaborate uniforms, a stark contrast to France and the U.S. where civilian attire is common at military observances.
The event, known as Trooping the Colour, commemorates the monarch’s formal birthday, irrespective of their real birth date. In 2023, Charles observed over 1,400 members from elite UK regiments, reenacting a tradition credited to King Charles II. Under King George III, this became an annual fixture.
**Military Posturing by Authoritarian Regimes**
Grandiose military pageantry is a mainstay among modern authoritarian figures, often seized through coups, symbolizing both deterrence to domestic threats and an assertion on the global stage.
In Cuba, for instance, Fidel Castro hosted parades marking his revolutionary victory. Later, Raúl Castro repurposed these in homage to Fidel posthumously in 2017. Venezuela under Hugo Chávez and North Korea under Kim Jong Un have followed suit, showcasing power through military displays.
Kim, in a recent parade, presented both his heir and parts of North Korea’s nuclear capabilities during a ceremony marking the army’s 75th anniversary in Pyongyang. Crowds watched as military paraphernalia paraded past in a symbol of national might.
China also regularly holds grand parades, every decade, demonstrating its military sophistication and national reliance. In 2019, a notably potent array of weaponry rolled past President Xi Jinping.
Joint displays of military might have seen cooperation between strongman leaders, such as Xi and Putin at Moscow’s “Victory Day” parade, acknowledging the Soviet role in defeating Nazi Germany.
**Historical Military Pageantry: A Cautionary Page**
The chilling historical military parades of fascist Italy and Nazi Germany are potent reminders of extremist perils.
A notable event was the extensive 1939 parade for Adolf Hitler’s 50th birthday—a demonstration involving over 40,000 military operatives and large public crowds lining Berlin’s streets. Hitler, a lone figure, observed from a platform set to become infamous in history.