The parade – which aims to highlight that the US Army is 250 years old – started shortly after 6 pm local time, midnight in Sweden, a little earlier than planned.
Trump and his wife Melania Trump followed the events from a stand and arrived in connection with 21 cannons firing a salute and the national anthem being played.
At the same time, demonstrations were taking place in Washington as well as in several other cities where people, who increasingly think that Trump resembles a dictator, made themselves heard.
Modern and historical
The presidential couple could see around 6,600 soldiers marching along Constitution Avenue. The soldiers were dressed in both modern and historical uniforms – from the country's various wars, including the civil war and both world wars.
About 130 military vehicles participated, including Abrams tanks, Bradley fighting vehicles and jeeps, as well as older counterparts. Military orchestras, helicopters, horse and carriage, and parachutists were also included. There were also flyovers.
Trump stood up from time to time and saluted the rhythmic soldiers.
Afterwards, Trump thanked the military in a nearly unique short speech, by his standards, eight minutes.
The army keeps us free, the army makes us strong, said Trump, according to NBC News.
He also came with a reminder to the enemies of the United States.
If you threaten the American people, our soldiers will come after you.
The number of people who followed the parade does not seem to have reached the approximately 200,000 that were predicted. There were large gaps between the spectators, notes the news agency AP.
Has dreamed for years
It is well known that Trump has dreamed of a military parade for years, after being impressed by the military display at the national day celebrations in France during his first term. But the plans encountered obstacles, including with reference to what signals it sends and the high costs.
The parade is estimated to cost between 25 and 45 million dollars, according to AP. 15 million dollars has been allocated to repair any roads that cannot withstand the heavy traffic.
The US Army was founded as early as 1775, at the beginning of the war of independence and a year before the American colonies declared themselves independent.
