A color film from the 1939 Macy's Day Parade - How different it is today!
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
is one of the most famous parades in America and the world at large.
Held annually every Thanksgiving (which always falls on the last
Thursday in November), the parade is a staple of the holiday of
Thanksgiving and an event that is instantly associated with New York
City. The parade is also symbolic of the impending Christmas season via
the appearance of Santa Claus at the end of the procession. At present,
the parade is televised in full and broadcasted internationally; it
begins at 9am and lasts three hours.
The Thanksgiving Day Parade was started in 1924 and funded by the department store Macy’s. In the 1920s most of Macy’s employees were immigrants from Europe who wanted to use Thanksgiving as a way to celebrate their new lives in America. Initially the parade was called the “Macy’s Christmas Parade” which was later renamed to the “Macy’s Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Parade.” In present times, the parade is known simply as the “Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade” but the tie-in to Christmas (with Santa’s appearance at the end of the procession) remains intact.
The initial Thanksgiving Day Parade was conducted by Macy’s employees and some professional entertainers who were hired to march from 145th Street in Harlem to Macy’s flagship store on 34th Street. Although the first parade featured none of the now-famous balloons, the marchers wore colorful costumes and there were live bands and floats. The Central Park Zoo even allowed some of their animals to take part in the event! The parade was such a success that Macy’s decided to turn it into an annual tradition. In 1927, large animal-shaped balloons replaced the live animals and this began the tradition of giant balloons that are now iconic of the parade.
Every year the parade grew in popularity and by 1933 over one million people came out to watch the procession! In 1934 the first Mickey Mouse balloon appeared to delighted crowds. Before television was widely popular, the parade was broadcasted on the radio between the years of 1932-1941 and 1945-1951. The parade was suspended from 1942-1944 as a result of World War II and the dire need for rubber and helium during that time. The parade resumed in 1945 and became especially famous after it was featured in the 1947 hit film “Miracle on 34th Street.”
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is still going strong and it is expected to entertain millions of viewers from all over the world on November 28, 2013. Television and the Internet has made it easier than ever to access information about the parade. However, if you live in New York, it is certainly worth taking the time to see the parade in person!
The Thanksgiving Day Parade was started in 1924 and funded by the department store Macy’s. In the 1920s most of Macy’s employees were immigrants from Europe who wanted to use Thanksgiving as a way to celebrate their new lives in America. Initially the parade was called the “Macy’s Christmas Parade” which was later renamed to the “Macy’s Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Parade.” In present times, the parade is known simply as the “Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade” but the tie-in to Christmas (with Santa’s appearance at the end of the procession) remains intact.
The initial Thanksgiving Day Parade was conducted by Macy’s employees and some professional entertainers who were hired to march from 145th Street in Harlem to Macy’s flagship store on 34th Street. Although the first parade featured none of the now-famous balloons, the marchers wore colorful costumes and there were live bands and floats. The Central Park Zoo even allowed some of their animals to take part in the event! The parade was such a success that Macy’s decided to turn it into an annual tradition. In 1927, large animal-shaped balloons replaced the live animals and this began the tradition of giant balloons that are now iconic of the parade.
Every year the parade grew in popularity and by 1933 over one million people came out to watch the procession! In 1934 the first Mickey Mouse balloon appeared to delighted crowds. Before television was widely popular, the parade was broadcasted on the radio between the years of 1932-1941 and 1945-1951. The parade was suspended from 1942-1944 as a result of World War II and the dire need for rubber and helium during that time. The parade resumed in 1945 and became especially famous after it was featured in the 1947 hit film “Miracle on 34th Street.”
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is still going strong and it is expected to entertain millions of viewers from all over the world on November 28, 2013. Television and the Internet has made it easier than ever to access information about the parade. However, if you live in New York, it is certainly worth taking the time to see the parade in person!
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| This giant dragon balloon in the 1931 parade. |
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| This giant Mickey Mouse balloon, shown here in Glendale, Calf., floated down Broadway in 1934 and required 25 handlers. |
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| Here balloons float down Broadway for the 1937 parade. Seven musical organizations, twenty-one floats and balloon units and 400 costumed marchers participated that year. |
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| This cop balloon, shown here at Broadway and 56th St., was also featured in the 1937 parade. |
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| The dragon balloon roared down the parade route at the thirteenth annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade in 1937. |
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