99th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
It is amazing to think that one hundred and two years ago, on November 27, 1924 the first Macy’s Parade was held. Done as a tribute to all the workers at Macy’s it would grow into a global sensation that it is today and seen around the world by hundreds of millions of people. It is an event that even in not so good times will bring people together and give children a memory that will last forever. It is a “must watch” on millions of homes TV sets every year and never fails to bring a smile when Santa Claus appears at the end. The reason for the two year difference is because the parade was not held in 1942-1943 due to WW II. So, the 100th year celebration takes place in 2026.
With this historical event on the horizon it got me to thinking about what else took place in that year of 1924 that is memorable and still has its place today. Here are some interesting facts about some of the events, products and services that came along and are still part of our lives over one hundred years later.
Average annual household income: About $2,160
Average cost of a new car: About $515
Average price of a new home: About $4,296
Average monthly rent: About $15
Average retail price for a gallon of gas: 11 cents
Cost of a first-class stamp: Two cents
Cost of a dinner at a restaurant: $1.25 to $2.00
Minimum wage: 33 cents per hour
In 1924 these companies and products made their debut, Ace Hardware, Duracell, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Quaker State, Simon & Schuster, and the Zale Jewelry Corporation.
Consumer products launched in 1924 included the Bit-O-Honey candy bar, Butter Brickle, Dum Dums, Imperial beer, iodized table salt, Kleenex facial tissue, locking pliers, Marlboro cigarettes, menthol cigarettes, and Wheaties breakfast cereal.
The first Winter Olympics took place in Chamonix, France, between January 25 and February 5.
On June 15, the Ford Motor Company manufactured the 10 millionth Model T Ford.
August 5: Harold Gray’s comic strip, Little Orphan Annie, debuted in the New York Daily News and ran for 86 more years until 2010.
November 1: The Boston Bruins joined the National Hockey League (NHL) and became the first USA-based team to join the league.
November 4: Nellie Tayloe Ross (D-Wyoming) became the first female governor in the United States.
Rand McNally published the first road atlas, and Simon & Schuster published the first crossword puzzle book.
Famous people born in 1924 included Carroll O’Connor, Cicely Tyson, Dinah Washington, Don Knotts, George H.W. Bush, Gloria Vanderbilt, Henry Mancini, Jimmy Carter, Sarah Vaughan, and Truman Capote.
There is a lot more I could have added, but this will give you a hood idea about 100 years ago. If you want to find out more check out https://popculturemadness.com/1924-history-trivia-and-fun-facts/
Have a great week and remember “Time flies, so don’t waste it.”
Art Koch, National Features & DVD Editor, NightMoves Magazine and AAN
