Officeholders led the parade, followed by musicians, sacrificial animals, the spoils of war, then the general in a chariot followed by his soldiers. The victory parades held in European and American cities at the end of World War II were reminiscent of ancient triumphs. Parades are still held on patriotic holidays such as Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and Veterans Day in the United States. For years in the Soviet Union there was a huge military parade in Moscow in honor of the October Revolution of 1917. In London, England, there is a parade every November, when a new lord mayor takes office.
Historical events provide the occasion for many parades.
Christopher Columbus' landing in America is celebrated throughout Latin America, as well as in Spain and Italy, on October 12. Some cities in the United States with sizable Italian populations honor the occasion as well. Ill. Canada's Calgary Stampede, in addition to parades and competitions, features reenactments of conflicts between cowboys and Indians. Some athletic contests include a good deal of pageantry. The procession of athletes at the opening ceremonies of the Winter and Summer Olympics has frequently been shown on television.