As the end of the month draws closer, there is one thing that is on everyone’s minds; (other than Christmas, and Black Friday) and that’s Thanksgiving. Whilst Thanksgiving has a horrid past, with many choosing to not observe the holiday due to the glorification of colonialism. A yearly reminder to Native Americans across the United States of their stolen land. One thing remains constant for nearly a century, in which Americans tune in across the Nation to see the annual program That’s the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
History
The parade began its existence on November 27, 1947. Albeit you may have come to know and love, it wasn’t always a ‘Thanksgiving’ day parade. According to History, Macy’s began to obtain competing stores. With the hopes of gaining advertising and popularity for winter shopping, “To showcase the opening of the “World’s Largest Store” a… [although] the parade was not actually about Thanksgiving at all but the next major holiday on the calendar—Christmas.” Starting with only a handful of performers(including special guests from the Central Park Zoo) and not even an iconic balloon in sight; is now the phenomenon that millions tune in to watch every year, like clockwork.
Now the Nations classic that is the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade has become a definitive aspect of many American’s televisions as they prepare dinner, come together for the day. Although one must ask, why is this so? Is it the joyful comradery that the program begins to cascade through the screen? Or rather, is it the similarity that bringing the program brings as you’ve been watching it since a young child, much like I did. I feel as though it begins to be a mix of both. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade brings a sense of comfort, joy, and sense of optimism as you know that when you see those giant balloons; the year is beginning to come to an end. Seeing the giant balloons, every year with the concluding of Santa on his big red sleigh, brings happiness to people across the globe. So although Thanksgiving in its origins brought people apart; tainted and built upon obstructive values. The tradition that is the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade is a light in the darkness of this holiday. I hope that you join me in watching the parade this coming year, and the years forthward.