Now in its 88th year, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has been entertaining millions of Americans and ushering in the start of the holiday shopping season for generations. Here is a look back at the iconic event.
1929
A large outdoor float of Captain Nemo makes its way down the street during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, on Nov. 28. Originally known as the Macy’s Christmas Parade, the Thanksgiving Day parade started in 1924. (AP Photo)
1930
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade passes down Broadway in New York on Nov. 27, 1930. The parade’s first giant balloons debuted in 1927. (AP Photo)
1940
A helium inflated Superman rises over Times Square to lead the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1940. According to Macy’s, in 1929, a newly added safety valve allowed helium to slowly seep out of the balloons as they floated above the city’s streets. (AP Photo)
1957
A giant turkey float squeezes between buildings as the 31st annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade moves down Broadway near 37th Street in New York, Nov. 28. The parade’s first giant balloons debuted in 1927. (AP Photo/John Lindsay)
1958
Members of the Radio City Music Hall’s Rockettes perform in the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York on Nov. 27. Police estimated more than 1.2 million people watched the parade that year. (AP Photo/John Lindsay)
1962
Comedian Jimmy Durante rides on a Jumbo the elephant float during the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City on Nov. 22. (AP Photo)
1983
Miss America Vanessa Williams joins two members of the 1983 McDonald’s All-American High School Band in New York, Nov. 22, in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Leslie Crowley, second from left, and Jeff Hanson, right, both from Utah, are among the 104 high school musicians selected annually to participate in the band. (AP Photo)
1988
Garfield the Cat floats above the Winter Garden Theater, the home of the musical “Cats,” as the balloon is led down Broadway in New York City as part of the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Thursday, Nov. 24. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
2003
Kaycie Gamblin, 6, left, and Brandon Gamblin, 11, of Hicksville, N.Y., watch as the Ronald McDonald balloon floats down Broadway in Times Square, during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Thursday Nov. 27, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
2013
A giant Snoopy balloon is marched through Columbus Circle during the 87th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Thursday, Nov. 28, in New York. After fears the balloons could be grounded if sustained winds exceeded 23 mph, Snoopy, Spider-Man and the rest of the iconic balloons received the all-clear from the New York Police Department to fly between Manhattan skyscrapers. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)