Which event was described as the soft launch of the United States Semiquincentennial celebrations?

The United States Army 250th Anniversary Parade was described as the soft launch of the United States Semiquincentennial celebrations.

The parade took place on June 14, 2025, in Arlington, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. It marked the 250th anniversary of the United States Army, whose founding date is June 14, 1775.

The event also coincided with Flag Day and the 79th birthday of President Donald Trump. Its route ran from the Pentagon area toward the National Mall, and the program included soldiers, military vehicles, aircraft, horses, musical bands, and parachutists.

This Army anniversary is related to, but distinct from, the national semiquincentennial on July 4, 2026. The Army parade commemorated the service’s founding, while America250 commemorates the 250th anniversary of American independence.