Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Through The Years

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is a classic American tradition enjoyed by families across the country. But because of the coronavirus pandemic, this year's parade may look a lot different than it has in the past. Here are some photos of the popular parade throughout American history.

Americans celebrate Thanksgiving Day in New York as the parade nears Times Square.

People gather to watch the Thanksgiving Day parade.

A man squats in the street to photograph a brass band and majorettes marching in the Thanksgiving parade.

Onlookers are excited and amused by the 1961 Thanksgiving Day parade in New York as it nears Times Square.

Crowds of children gather in a New York street to watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

A true symbol of the holiday season, a reindeer balloon floats above the Thanksgiving Day parade in New York City.

An inflated Popeye floats above the Thanksgiving Day parade in New York City as it nears Times Square.

A Goofy balloon makes its way down Broadway on Nov. 26, 1992. Goofy was the new balloon among 16 in the 66th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Izzy, the mascot for the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, a pet-friendly city, makes its first appearance in the 67th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade in 1993.

Handlers pull the Betty Boop balloon past Macy's department store, with the Empire State Building in the background during the 69th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.

Spectators on the balcony of a building in New York's Times Square watch as the Pink Panther balloon floats by during the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

The Spiderman balloon is steered down Broadway into Times Square as part of the 71st annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

The Arthur balloon is kept close to the ground as it makes its way down Broadway in New York City during the 72nd annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Members of the Universal Cheer & Dance Association make their way down Broadway during the 72nd annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

The Honey Nut Cheerios Bee balloon moves through Times Square in New York City during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1999.

The Bullwinkle J. Moose balloon moves through Times Square in November 2000 during the 74th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

A clown plays with children on Central Park West during the 75th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nov. 22, 2001, in New York City.

Firefighters and policemen, who helped during and in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, carry a flag during the 75th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nov. 22, 2001, in New York City.

The Big Bird balloon floats down Central Park West during the 75th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nov. 22, 2001, in New York City.

Onlookers watch from a makeshift viewing platform as the Cheesasaurus Rex balloon passes through Times Square during the 76th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nov. 28, 2002, in New York City.

An inflatable Ronald McDonald, the popular mascot of McDonald's, makes its way through Times Square during the 76th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nov. 28, 2002, in New York City.

The 77th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade takes place on Nov. 27, 2003, in New York City.

A Little Bill balloon floats down Broadway and 36th street at the 77th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nov. 27, 2003, in New York City.

Onlookers watch from a balcony as a Chicken Little balloon floats down Broadway during the 78th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nov. 25, 2004, in New York City.

Onlookers watch as giant balloons float down Broadway during the 78th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nov. 25, 2004, in New York City.

A rock climber hangs off the Ecko's Expedition to Rhino Mountain float as it rolls down Broadway during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City in 2005.

Dora the Explorer floats down Broadway during the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City in 2005.

A balloon and stars kick off the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2006 in New York City.

The Scooby-Doo balloon floats in the air during the 81st annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nov. 22, 2007, in New York City.

Spectators wave to participants during the 81st annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nov. 22, 2007, in New York City.

Parade-goers watch floats pass by at the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nov. 27, 2008, in New York City.

Parade-goers watch the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nov. 27, 2008, in New York City.

Parade participants guide a turkey float at the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nov. 27, 2008, in New York City.

Women scream with excitement as floats pass by at the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nov. 27, 2008, in New York City.

The Snoopy balloon floats down Central Park West during the 88th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nov. 27, 2014, in New York City.

People watch as volunteers help inflate the floats used in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nov. 25, 2015, in New York City.

New York City Counterterrorism Police watch over the parade route during the 89th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nov. 26, 2015, in New York City.

Members of the New York City Police special task force stand guard before the annual Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nov. 26, 2015, in New York City.

The Ronald McDonald balloon floats down Central Park West during the 91st Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nov. 23, 2017, in New York City. And now that you've taken a trip down memory lane, here are things you probably didn't know about the parade.

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