The Thanksgiving Parade is a festive event, typically held on Thanksgiving Day in the United States, celebrating the holiday with parades featuring floats, balloons, performances, and marching bands. The most famous of these is the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, which began in 1924.
This parade showcases giant character balloons, elaborate floats themed around various subjects, and performances from Broadway shows and musical artists. It usually attracts large crowds and is broadcasted nationwide, marking the unofficial start of the holiday season. The parade is a tradition that brings communities together, emphasizing gratitude, family, and the spirit of giving.
History
The history of the Thanksgiving Parade, particularly the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, dates back to 1924. It began as a modest event organized by Macy's department store in New York City to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday and mark the beginning of the Christmas season.
The first parade featured employees dressed in costumes, live animals from the Central Park Zoo, and floats. It was a success, drawing large crowds, which encouraged Macy's to continue the tradition annually.
In 1927, the parade introduced the now-iconic giant character balloons, starting with Felix the Cat. Over the years, the parade evolved, incorporating more elaborate floats, performances from Broadway shows, and famous musicians.
During World War II, the parade was temporarily suspended but resumed in 1945, continuing to grow in scale and popularity. It became a staple of American culture, symbolizing the start of the holiday season.
Today, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is known for its spectacular floats, massive balloons, and diverse entertainment. It is broadcast live to millions across the nation, attracting big-name performances and celebrities, making it a beloved annual tradition. Other cities in the U.S. also host their own Thanksgiving parades, inspired by the original Macy's event.
Thanksgiving Day
Thanksgiving Day is a national holiday in the United States, celebrated on Thursday, November 28, in 2024. Its origins trace back to 1621 when Plymouth colonists from England and the Native American Wampanoag people shared an autumn harvest feast, regarded as one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations in the colonies.
For over two centuries, individual colonies and states observed days of thanksgiving. It wasn't until 1863, amid the Civil War, that President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day to be celebrated in November. However, the holiday has faced criticism. Many Americans, including those of Native American descent, believe Thanksgiving celebrations overshadow the historical context of oppression and violence between European settlers and Native Americans.
Thanksgiving at Plymouth
In September 1620, the Mayflower, a small ship, set sail from Plymouth, England, carrying 102 passengers. This group included religious separatists seeking freedom to practice their faith and others attracted by the prospects of wealth and land in the New World. After a challenging 66-day voyage, they anchored near Cape Cod, far from their intended destination at the Hudson River. A month later, the Mayflower navigated Massachusetts Bay, allowing the Pilgrims to begin establishing a settlement in Plymouth.
Did you know? The Pilgrims' menu included lobster, seal, and swans.
During that harsh first winter, many colonists stayed aboard the ship, enduring exposure, scurvy, and disease outbreaks. Only half of the original passengers and crew survived to experience the spring in New England. In March, the remaining settlers disembarked and were greeted by a member of the Wampanoag tribe.