With the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade set to return in-person this year, we thought it’d be a good time to admire the annual event’s glory days. All photos below are courtesy of the New York Public Library (except for the last two).
1932:
An inflated pig (named Jerry) floats around Columbus Circle.
Along comes his pal, Andy the Alligator.
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They also had an ostrich back then.
… and a character called “The Turk,” who apparently wasn’t very popular. He made his debut in 1929, and 1932 was his last year.
1933:
The description for this photo just says it’s a “fat man in a bathing suit,” which appears to be accurate.
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1940 – 1979:
(More specific dates aren’t provided for these photos)
Spectators looking thrilled.
A few more smiles.
This guy is perfect in every way.
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The stars of the show.
1976:
These two are from my family’s photo albums.
