# *Detailed SUMMARY of the article "Pomp and circumstance" by Editorial, Published in Dawn on June 17th, 2025:* The article critiques *Donald Trump*'s decision to hold a *military parade* in *Washington, D.C.* on *Saturday* to mark the *250th anniversary* of the *US military's foundation* and coincidentally *Trump's birthday*. The editorial draws parallels between this display and *communist strongmen* from *former Eastern bloc states* who used such *martial pageantry* to showcase military might. The last similar *military parade* in the *US capital* was in *1991* after the *Gulf War*. While *Western states* engage in *militarism* through foreign invasions like *Vietnam*, *Afghanistan*, and *Iraq*, such domestic *military displays* are rare in *democracies*, with exceptions being *France's Bastille Day* and *South Asian countries*. The article references *Soviet military parades* in *Moscow's Red Square* as the most iconic historical examples, noting that despite impressive *military hardware*, the *USSR eventually collapsed*. The editorial suggests that states believing themselves *invincible* due to military might should remember this lesson. While *Trump* reviewed *America's armament*, *'No Kings' demonstrations* occurred across *hundreds of US locations*, with critics viewing the parade as an *authoritarian tactic* and an *unsubtle message* to domestic and international opponents. *MAGA supporters* defend *Trump* as prioritizing *order* on the *home front*. The article concludes that such events expose *deep political and ideological divisions* within the *American polity*. # *Easy/Short SUMMARY*: *Donald Trump* held a *military parade* in *Washington D.C.* to mark the *US military's 250th anniversary* and his *birthday*, resembling *communist-era displays*. The last such *US parade* was in *1991* post-*Gulf War*. Critics held *'No Kings' demonstrations* viewing it as *authoritarian tactics*, while *MAGA supporters* see it as prioritizing *order*. The event highlights *deep divisions* in *American politics*. # *SOLUTIONS of The Problem*: ## *1. Strengthen Democratic Institutions* Reinforce *constitutional checks and balances* to prevent *authoritarian overreach* in democracies. ## *2. Promote Civil Discourse* Encourage *peaceful dialogue* between opposing political factions to bridge *ideological divisions*. ## *3. Limit Military Displays* Restrict *domestic military parades* to genuine national celebrations rather than *personal aggrandizement*. ## *4. Enhance Media Literacy* Educate citizens about *propaganda techniques* and *authoritarian symbols* to recognize threats to democracy. ## *5. Protect Protest Rights* Ensure *constitutional rights* to peaceful assembly and protest are maintained during political tensions. ## *6. International Monitoring* Establish *democratic watchdog organizations* to monitor and report on *authoritarian trends* globally. ## *7. Historical Education* Teach lessons from *collapsed authoritarian regimes* like the *USSR* to prevent repetition of mistakes. ## *8. Civilian Oversight* Maintain strong *civilian control* over military to prevent *politicization* of armed forces. ## *9. Coalition Building* Form *cross-party alliances* to defend democratic norms and institutions against *authoritarian threats*. ## *10. Electoral Reforms* Implement *electoral transparency* and *campaign finance reforms* to reduce *authoritarian influence* in politics. # *IMPORTANT Facts and Figures Given in the article*: - *Military parade* held on *Saturday* in *Washington, D.C.* - Event marked *250th anniversary* of *US military foundation* - Parade coincided with *Donald Trump's birthday* - Last similar *US military parade* was in *1991* after the *Gulf War* - *'No Kings' demonstrations* held in *hundreds of locations* across the *US* - Article published on *June 17th, 2025* # *IMPORTANT Facts and Figures out of the article*: - *Trump's birthday* is *June 14th* (*Flag Day*, born *1946*) - *US military* was established by *Continental Congress* on *June 14, 1775* - *Soviet military parades* were held annually on *May 9th* (*Victory Day*) - *France's Bastille Day parade* occurs every *July 14th* on *Champs-Élysées* - *USSR collapsed* in *1991* despite massive military spending - *Military spending* in *US* is approximately *$800 billion* annually (*2024*) # *MCQs from the Article*: ### 1. *When was the last military parade held in Washington, D.C. before Trump's parade?* A. 1985 *B. 1991* C. 2001 D. 2010 ### 2. *What anniversary did Trump's military parade commemorate?* A. 200th anniversary B. 240th anniversary *C. 250th anniversary* D. 260th anniversary ### 3. *Which country's parade is mentioned as an exception among Western democracies?* A. Germany *B. France* C. Britain D. Italy ### 4. *What type of demonstrations were held across the US during the parade?* A. 'No War' demonstrations *B. 'No Kings' demonstrations* C. 'No Trump' demonstrations D. 'No Military' demonstrations ### 5. *Which historical military parades does the article describe as most iconic?* A. Nazi German parades B. Chinese parades *C. Soviet parades* D. North Korean parades # *VOCABULARY*: 1. *Pomp* (شان و شوکت) – Splendid display or ceremony 2. *Circumstance* (حالات) – Formal ceremony or display 3. *Goose-stepping* (فوجی قدم) – High-stepping military march 4. *Lockstep* (ہم قدم) – Marching in perfect synchronization 5. *Staple* (بنیادی چیز) – Basic or standard feature 6. *Martial* (فوجی) – Related to military or warfare 7. *Pageantry* (نمائش) – Elaborate display or spectacle 8. *Strongmen* (آمر) – Authoritarian leaders or dictators 9. *Yore* (پرانے زمانے) – Long ago, former times 10. *Smugly* (خود پسندی سے) – In a self-satisfied manner 11. *Spectacle* (تماشا) – Impressive or remarkable display 12. *Militarism* (فوجی پسندی) – Aggressive military policy 13. *Hapless* (بے بس) – Unfortunate or unlucky 14. *Prowess* (مہارت) – Skill or expertise, especially in combat 15. *Extravaganza* (شاندار تقریب) – Elaborate and spectacular event 16. *Iconic* (مشہور) – Widely recognized and representative 17. *Imploding* (اندرونی طور پر ٹوٹنا) – Collapsing inward 18. *Invincible* (ناقابل شکست) – Impossible to defeat 19. *Unaccountable* (غیر ذمہ دار) – Not required to explain actions 20. *Armament* (اسلحہ) – Military weapons and equipment 21. *Authoritarian* (آمرانہ) – Favoring strict obedience to authority 22. *Unsubtle* (واضح) – Obvious, not subtle 23. *MAGA* (میگا) – Make America Great Again (Trump slogan) 24. *Polity* (سیاسی نظام) – Political organization of a state 25. *Ideological* (نظریاتی) – Based on political beliefs or ideas 📢 *Attention Please!* We appreciate your commitment to acquiring knowledge through our summaries. 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Click the link below to join now 🔗 [Dawn Article Summaries](https://cssmcqs.com/dawn-editorials-articles-summary-for-students-pdf-download/) *WhatsApp Channel Link*: [https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va7tT3o35fLnJeFbpS2y](https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va7tT3o35fLnJeFbpS2y) --- *dawn.com* *Pomp and circumstance* *Editorial* *2–3 minutes* THE sight of columns of tanks rolling down a boulevard, accompanied by troops goose-stepping in lockstep, was a staple in former Eastern bloc states, as the rulers sought to show off their military might through such parades. But it seems that such displays of martial pageantry have caught the fancy of the current occupant of the White House too. On Saturday, Donald Trump — much in the mould of communist strongmen of yore — watched smugly as the US military held a parade in Washington, D.C. to mark the 250th anniversary of its foundation — and Mr Trump's birthday. The last time such a spectacle was witnessed in the US capital was in 1991, after the Gulf War. While Western states are no strangers to militarism, especially when it comes to invading hapless states far away — think Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq — such displays of military prowess are rare in supposed democracies, with the exception of France's Bastille Day extravaganza and South Asia. Historically speaking, the most iconic parades were held by the Soviets, as tanks, jets and troops were put on display in Moscow's Red Square. Yet it should be remembered that all this shiny military hardware could not prevent the USSR from imploding. Perhaps other states that consider themselves invincible and unaccountable due to their military might should keep this in mind. As Mr Trump was reviewing America's armament and military might, people were holding 'No Kings' demonstrations in hundreds of locations across the US. Many of the American leader's critics feel he is increasingly using authoritarian tactics, and that the show of military hardware is an unsubtle message to those who oppose him domestically and overseas. Of course, his MAGA supporters think Mr Trump simply prioritises order, particularly on the home front. What is clear is that events such as the parade only further expose the deep political and ideological divisions within the American polity. *Published in Dawn, June 17th, 2025*