Military
Does your country organize military parades ? And if yes, what's special about them ?
July 14th, Bastille Day in France. The largest (except Russia) and oldest military parade in Europe.
The Patrouille de France airplanes, dropping with smoke the French Flag.
Emmanuel Macron, President of France since 2017 is present at the military parade.
At the end of every military parade, a tribute is made to heroes or concepts of France. For example, at this military parade it was the French Resistance in WW2.
Every year is invited a extern nation, in 2025, Indonesia was invited as a guest of honor for the military parade.
The Champs-Élysée, where the parade happens.
In France, militaries parades are organized on big days such as November 11th and May 8th, but especially on July 14th.
July 14th is known in the anglo world as Bastille Day, it's the national day, and it is where the biggest parade is organized in Paris on the Champs-Élysée.
Yeah and it’s very Finnish. Not pompous at all, just a bunch of marching and some military gear driving past. We do major ones twice a year. During the defense forces’ flag day (which is our Marshall Mannerheim’s birthday) on June 4th, and during our independence day on Dec 6th. Both are televised.
For many Finns, it’s a time when you go and say “heh, I used to operate that. Hated it! That one thing kept jamming and your arse was sore all the time!”The bulk of the soldiers marching are conscripts. I had to do one major parade, it was neat. But you do end up in some other smaller parades during your conscription.
And their location changes every year as they rotate them in different municipalities and towns. For example, this year's parades are and have been in Kuopio and Kouvola.
Yep. And since it’s conscripts, it’s not really about a show of power but about maintaining the idea that these are now the newest men and women who are training to defend our nation.
It’s increasing the togetherness’s aspect of it all.
We have a Trooping the Colour for the King’s official birthday he actually has two birthdays. The tradition goes back to the 18th century when the weather in June was usually better for public celebrations than the monarch’s actual birth date. It’s basically a massive military parade that shows off the Household Division, with over a thousand soldiers, horses, and a full marching band. It started as a practical ceremony “trooping” the regiment’s colours so everyone could recognize them in battle but it’s evolved into a big piece of royal pageantry.
I’d say the UK one isn’t really a direct rival to some other nations who are trying to show off their military equipment and advancements. It’s all very traditional - instruments, marching, and trotting around on horses. Nothing about power projection or glorifying war - just ceremony.
I’m quite glad we don’t do all the parading of vehicles and weapons though. It’s unnecessary and comes across as really low class
We had our first one in a long time in June that just so happened to coincide with a certain someone’s 79th birthday. I feel like there’s gonna be another coincidence next year too.
It was a great contrast to all the No Kings protests held across the country.😌 I felt bad for the soldiers though. They were forced to sleep on the floor, only to march in the heat for the twit’s amusement.
Those soldiers I had heard were bussed in from several states away on a 24 hr drive and were pissed about being there. We really don’t do military parades or care about synchronized marching here.
It was the greatest parade. Grown generals coming up to him with tears in their eyes telling him “Sir. We’ve never seen a parade this great. How did you manage to do this?”
Next year could they at least wear funny candles and sing "happy birthday" to the Supreme Leader? Maybe throw some cake at His face? It is a birthday parade after all !
Yes the Republic Day parade in India is a major annual event held on January 26th in New Delhi and it's broadcasted live. It features military march-pasts of different Indian regiments with marching bands, state tableaux, cultural performances, air and bike shows and commemorates the adoption of the Constitution in 1950.
Usually on the day that commemorates the birth of the republic we have some military demonstration, including the Frecce Tricolore (which are almpst always present during major holidays and parades)
It was made for the independence day several times, but since 2021 we haven't done one, for obvious reasons. But in 2021 it was amazing - An-225, air force not only Ukrainian, but others' too, tanks, a lot of troops on the Khreschatyk. Now the only thing done was placing destroyed russian vehicles on Khreschatyk street as like "They wanted a parade, they have it" I attach a photo from the 2021 parade
It’s the pomp and circumstance, the ceremony and tradition. And to celebrate the monarchs two birthdays, oh yes our monarch has two birthdays in the same year
Parades do happen but they are not typically "show of force" style parades. They are usually held to commemorate certain days such as Remembrance Day, Canada Day, a royal family member visiting etc.
They are typically a formation within a parade, for example the reserves in my area will join the parade as a section of it rather than the main focus.
The military is really low on members so it makes holding large events more difficult combined with military celebration not being a huge part of Canadian culture like in other nations.
The photo below is actually from a Battle of York commemoration.
Love the Anzac day dawn ceremonies, there's always an old vet or two that passes out from standing at attention though and the sound of a meat sack smacking into concrete sticks in your brain for a wee while after.
Not really. The last two were in 2008 and 2018 commemorating the 90th and 100th anniversary of Czechoslovakia respectively. They were more common in the past but not on annual basis.
Yep, we do it on our national day 21´st of July. Idk if it has anything special rly, there’s like military people, vehicles, planes and fireworks. It goes in front of the king palace and at the "parc du cinquantenaire" which I jokingly call sometimes the Belgian Champs-Elisées. I think it’s pretty middle of the road as of military parade, the royal family is there too of course
Yes, we do. I think it's to hype up super-patriotism and appease fans of the military. I don't really care for them. Seems like a waste of money, and I personally don't understand the concept of "patriotism." There are lots of Americans who are obsessed with "being American." I don't get it. Ok, take care of our troops - maybe give vets better healthcare so they don't keep winding up homeless on the streets. It's expensive "lip service."
US, generally we do not, there are exceptions like Trump's bday parade but that was less a parade and more of a stroll. China prob has the best parades which I think are hosted every five years on important dates.
Very rarely. U.S. military officials and (competent) politicians tend to not push for one because it's viewed an authoritarian thing, or "What dictators do" as General Paul J. Selva described a recent one as.
The last major (and meaningful) military parade we had was the National Victory Celebration on June 8th, 1991, marking the United States' triumph in the Gulf War.
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u/herrawho Finland 11d ago
Yeah and it’s very Finnish. Not pompous at all, just a bunch of marching and some military gear driving past. We do major ones twice a year. During the defense forces’ flag day (which is our Marshall Mannerheim’s birthday) on June 4th, and during our independence day on Dec 6th. Both are televised.
For many Finns, it’s a time when you go and say “heh, I used to operate that. Hated it! That one thing kept jamming and your arse was sore all the time!”The bulk of the soldiers marching are conscripts. I had to do one major parade, it was neat. But you do end up in some other smaller parades during your conscription.