Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, New York City

Description
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It wouldn't be Thanksgiving without Macy's annual parade.  For the first 3 years it was Christmas themed with the parade wound down the west side to end at Macy's where the holiday windows were unveiled. The balloons began in 1928, designed after some balloon floats.  They were filled with helium and released at the end.  $100 was offered to the winner which lasted until 1932 when a 22 year old woman taking flying lessons was piloting into one of the released balloons - luckily she was rescued by her instructor's quick actions. 

Started, Nov 24, 1924
Factoids
1953- Started broadcasting on television nationally on NBC
Timeline
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1804
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1857
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1877
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1881
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1891
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1894
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1895
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1901
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1905
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1909
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1918
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1924
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1940
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1969
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1985
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1986
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1992
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1999
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2005
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2006
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2008
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2010
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2013
Images
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Images
16 ImagesShow less  
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The Thanksgiving parade in 1948

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“Mighty Mouse swoops into heart of city,” 1951.

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Snoopy skating through Columbus Circle, 1987

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Looking down on Kermit the Frog from One Times Square, 1979

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Santa Claus riding through the first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade — or Macy’s Christmas Parade, as it was originally called, November 27, 1924

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Watching from a hotel window as Betty Boop floated by, 1992

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Watching the 1948 parade, in Times Square

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A snug scene at the 1971 parade

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The first Thanksgiving snowstorm in 51 years hit New York City in 1989. Gusts of wind tore at the seams of giant balloons and caused Snoopy’s nose to puncture

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Children watching in amazement as Smokey Bear floats down in 1977

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Pondering the spectacle, 1973

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Booths with a view, 1969

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The cast of “Hadestown” performing at the parade, 2019

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Snoopy and his handler at the 2019 parade.

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In past years, each giant balloon was guided by between 80 and 100 human handlers.

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2020 Parade, hundreds of human balloon handlers were replaced by utility vehicles.

Drawings and documents
1 DocumentShow less  
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Featured Advertisement a 1914 Thanksgiving Shoppers Guide

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37-24, 24th St, Suite 102, Long Island City, NY 11101
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