Veterans Day Parade 2024: Event Routes, Map and Historical Significance
The Veterans Day Parade is an annual event organized by the United War Veterans Council (UWVC). It is the most significant Veterans Day event in the United States and takes place in Manhattan, New York. The parade honors all current and former U.S. military servicemen and women, starting just after 11 a.m. EST on Veterans Day. As America’s largest Veterans Day celebration, it carries forward the traditions of the New York City Veterans Day Parade, offering the public a chance to express their support for those who serve our nation.
The Veterans Day Parade draws on a history that traces back to earlier parades organized by veterans of the American Revolution and the War of 1812. The tradition of celebrating veterans on November 11th began in 1919, with Armistice Day commemorating the end of World War I. After World War II, Armistice Day was renamed Veterans Day, becoming a national observance honoring veterans of all wars. Interest in the parade and other events honoring service saw a decline in the 1970s and 1980s, largely due to the controversial Vietnam War.
2024 Veterans Day Parades & Route
Orlando Veterans Day Parade 2024
There will be an opening ceremony on Orange Avenue near Central Boulevard. Robinson Street and Orange Avenue will be the starting point of the parade, which will then proceed to Central Boulevard, Rosalind Avenue, and Robinson Street.
| When | Saturday, November 09, 2024 | 11:00 AM – 01:00 PM |
| Location | Parade route begins at Robinson Street and Orange Avenue. |
| Cost | Free |
New York City Veterans Day Parade 2024
| Event | New York City Veterans Day Parade 2024 |
|---|---|
| Date | Monday, November 11, 2024 |
| Time | 12:30 – 3:30 pm EST |
| Location | Fifth Avenue, Manhattan (25th to 45th Streets), New York City |
| Organizer | United War Veterans Council |
| Featured Service | U.S. Marine Corps |
| Grand Marshal | Retired Marine Sgt. Dakota Meyer, Medal of Honor recipient |
| Description | The nation’s largest Veterans Day parade with nearly 300 units and 20,000 participants, representing all military branches and eras. |
| Broadcast | Live on WABC and Military.com |
| Additional Events | – Honor Ruck: Sunday, November 10, 11:00 am – 3:00 pm EST – Wreath-Laying Ceremony: Monday, November 11, 10:55 am EST at Madison Square Park |
| Viewing Options | In person along Fifth Avenue (25th to 45th Streets) or online via live stream |
Baltimore Veterans Day Parade
The Baltimore City Veterans Day Parade for 2024 is scheduled for Saturday, November 9, 2024. The parade will depart at 12:00 p.m. from the Washington Monument, located at Charles Street and Centre Street.
| Event | Baltimore City Veterans Day Parade 2024 |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday, November 9, 2024 |
| Time | 12:00 – 1:30 pm EST |
| Location | Washington Monument, 699 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21201 |
| Description | Honoring veterans with a parade featuring wreath-layings, marching bands, Honor Guards, ROTC programs, and more. |
| Special Notes | – Free parking at Lexington Street Garage (510 E. Lexington St.) – Event is rain or shine |
| Organizer | Marva Williams |
| Additional Information | Open to the public; bring family and friends. |
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99th American Legion Post 2 Veterans Day Parade 2024:
The American Legion Post 2 cordially invites you to join the 99th Knoxville’s Veterans Day Parade. This event is set to take place on Monday, November 11, 2024. Starting at 10:40 am EST, the parade location Gay St, Knoxville, TN 37902, United States.
| Event | American Legion Post 2 Veterans Day Parade 2024 |
|---|---|
| Date | Monday, November 11, 2024 |
| Time | 10:40 am EST |
| Location | Gay St, Knoxville, TN 37902, United States |
| Organizer | American Legion Post 2, Knoxville, Tennessee |
| Description | The 99th annual Veterans Day Parade to honor U.S. veterans, hosted by American Legion Post 2. The parade will proceed down Gay St. |
| Special Notes | Open to the public; staging procedures and times to be announced later. |
Phoenix Veterans Day Parade 2024
| Event | Phoenix Veterans Day Parade 2024 |
|---|---|
| Date | Monday, November 11, 2024 |
| Time | 11:00 am – 1:00 pm MST |
| Location | Phoenix, Arizona |
| Organizer | Honoring America’s Veterans (HAV) |
| Description | Annual parade to honor U.S. military veterans, featuring floats, bands, and veteran organizations. |
| Celebrity Grand Marshal | Luis Gonzalez, baseball legend and D-backs Senior Advisor |
Colorado Springs Veterans Day Parade 2024
| Event | Colorado Springs Veterans Day Parade 2024 |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday, November 9, 2024 |
| Location | Colorado Springs, Colorado |
| Organizer | O’Donnell and O’Donnell, organizers of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade |
| Description | A parade to honor veterans, organized separately from Colorado Springs Veterans Day, Inc. |
| Additional Information | For questions, contact O’Donnell and O’Donnell at (719) 635-8803 |
San Diego Veterans Day Parade 2024
| Event | San Diego Veterans Day Parade 2024 |
|---|---|
| Date | Monday, November 11, 2024 |
| Time | 10:00 am PST |
| Starting Point | Harbor Drive (in front of the County Administration Building), San Diego, CA |
| Description | Annual parade to honor U.S. military veterans, past and present. Thousands of residents and community leaders will gather to pay tribute to America’s heroes. |
| Registration | Open to participants; registration is encouraged. |
12th Annual Regional Veterans Day Parade:
| Event | 12th Annual Regional Veterans Day Parade |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday, November 9, 2024 |
| Time | 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm CST |
| Location | Fort Chaffee, 7020 Taylor Ave., Fort Smith, AR 72916 |
| Organizer | Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority (FCRA) |
| Description | Annual community event in Chaffee Crossing to honor veterans. |
| Contact Information | Phone: (479) 452-4554 |
| Additional Notes | Event is part of a series, with additional community events like the International Food Festival on November 9 and “Cars For a Cause” on April 26. |
History of Veterans Day Parade
A group of Vietnam Veterans revitalized the United War Veterans Council and reinvigorated the Parade. Over the years, the UWVC has restored the Veterans Day Parade to its rightful prominence in the community and set it on a path towards growth and sustainability. Recently, a new generation of Post 9/11 Veterans has come forward to take charge of the Parade, working with veterans of previous eras, independent volunteers, government agencies, and corporate partners to ensure the parade continues to honor service for years to come.
It has evolved from a traditional march of local Veterans to a major public event with participants from across America. A live TV broadcast, internet stream, and initiatives in social media and mobile technologies bring the celebration to a global audience.
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The Veterans Day Parade has truly grown from a New York City tradition to America’s Parade. Though World War I officially ended with the Treaty of Versailles, fighting ceased seven months earlier when an armistice between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. In November 1919, President Wilson declared November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day, which later became known as Veterans Day.
Purpose of Veterans Day Parade
The Veterans Day Parade honors the service and sacrifice of veterans from all eras, bringing together over 250 groups and more than 20,000 participants. Veterans, military units, civic and youth organizations (including Junior ROTC), businesses, and top high school marching bands from across the nation take part in this patriotic celebration. The parade also features floats, military and vintage vehicles, and other special elements, drawing an audience of over half a million spectators.
Originally designated as Armistice Day to honor World War I veterans, the day expanded to include all veterans after World War II. In 1945, a World War II veteran from Birmingham, Alabama, proposed this broader recognition, setting the foundation for what we now celebrate as Veterans Day.
The primary purpose of America’s Veterans Day Parade is to honor the service of our veterans and to salute our currently serving military. It’s a non-partisan, non-political event, and is not to be used as a platform for any other purpose or political agenda. Any individual or group that attempts to use the Parade as a platform for this purpose will be barred from participation and will forfeit any costs incurred.
