Rowland Hussey MACY
1924 - November 27 – In New York City the first Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is held

On November 27, 1924, the first Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade took place in New York City. The parade was originally called the "Macy's Christmas Parade" to kick off the holiday shopping season, but it quickly became synonymous with Thanksgiving. The parade was organized by Macy's employees and featured animals from the Central Park Zoo, including elephants, camels, and monkeys, as well as floats, professional bands, and live animals borrowed from the zoo. The parade culminated in Santa Claus being welcomed to Herald Square, marking the official start of the Christmas season.

This inaugural parade was a huge success, drawing an estimated 250,000 spectators. It set the stage for the tradition that continues to this day, with millions of people lining the streets of New York City and millions more watching on television. Over the years, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade has become a beloved American tradition, featuring iconic giant balloons, floats, performances by marching bands and celebrities, and, of course, the arrival of Santa Claus, all of which have made it one of the most famous parades in the world.

November 27, 1924

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