In recognition of Inauguration Day, the Presidential Parade will take place on January 20, celebrating the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States. After the traditional swearing-in ceremony, inaugural address and congressional luncheon at the US Capitol, President-elect Trump will head to the White House to watch the parade from the reviewing stand.
The Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee has confirmed that approximately 7,500 participants from 23 states will join the parade this year. The parade lineup includes contingents from the U.S. Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine Academy.
Trump Vance Inaugural Committee announces presidential parade participants
Washington, DC – The Trump Vance Inaugural Committee is pleased to announce the preliminary list of groups that have accepted invitations to participate in the annual Presidential Inaugural Parade, which… pic.twitter.com/lOcaMCGoCw
– Veterans for America First – Veterans for Trump (@VFAFWarroom) 13 January 2025
History of the inaugural parade
The inaugural parade has been an important part of American presidential history. It began in 1789 when George Washington took the oath for the first time. In 1805, President Thomas Jefferson walked from the Capitol to the White House accompanied by Navy Yard employees, and since then, the tradition has grown into a grand event.
The parade typically runs 2.4 km along Pennsylvania Avenue, with the President, Vice President, their families, and principal officials reviewing the participants from a stand on the North Lawn of the White House. Started by President James Garfield in 1881, the practice has now grown to include military and civilian participants from all states.
Milestones have marked the parade’s history. Abraham Lincoln’s second inaugural parade in 1865 featured Native Americans and African Americans for the first time. Women joined in 1917. By the mid-20th century, the parade had become a large-scale celebration.
Grover Cleveland’s 1885 parade included 25,000 marchers, while Dwight D. Eisenhower’s 1953 event included more than 22,000 service members, 5,000 civilians, and unique attractions such as elephants and Alaskan dog teams.
Tradition has also seen moments of restraint. Franklin D. Roosevelt canceled the 1945 parade during World War II to conserve resources, while Ronald Reagan’s second inaugural parade in 1985 was moved indoors due to extreme cold.
Significance of Inaugural Parade
The parade demonstrates the peaceful transfer of power between administrations. It brings together people from across the country to celebrate democracy through marching bands, cultural groups and tableau performances. The event reflects America’s diversity and achievements.
Each parade reflects the themes and values of the incoming administration. The theme of the 60th inaugural ceremony, as announced by the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, is “Our Enduring Democracy: A Constitutional Promise”.
