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For 80 years, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade® has
continued to be the official kick-off of the holiday season. Every year "the
longest show on Broadway" is seen by more than 3 million people who line the
streets of New York and another 50 million people who tune into NBC and
Telemundo to watch the giant balloons, one-of-a-kind floats, the nation's best
marching bands, hundreds of cheering clowns and a host of celebrities!
BUT DID YOU KNOW?
- 1858 Rowland Hussey Macy's determination after
several failed retail ventures paid off at the age of 36 with the launch of
R.H. Macy & Co.at 204 206 6th Avenue and 14th Street. He adopted a red star as his symbol which was inspired by the
red star tattooed on his arm in tribute to the star that guided him when lost at
sea.
- The red star is one of the most recognizable retail marks
of all time.
- 1862 What do you want for Christmas? Macy's sets new
holiday standard by having the first in store Santa.
- 1864 Another first when elaborate window displays are
introduced and the window shopper was born.
- 1866 Margaret Getchell makes history as the first
woman retail executive when she is promoted to store superintendent. HER
MANTRA "Be everywhere, Do everything, and never
forget to astonish the customer"
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1902 Macy's moves uptown to Herald Square 34th Street. The new store is
nine stories high with 33 elevators and 4 escalators, the first American store
to use them.
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1924 Macy's Herald Square is declared the "World's Largest Store"
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1924 The birth of an American tradition
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The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Started by Macy's employees to celebrate
their new American heritage, the parade was originally called the Macy's
Christmas Parade and featured live animals from the Central Park Zoo.
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1976 Macy's sponsors the first annual "Macy's Fireworks Spectacular" a 4th
of July tradition for millions.
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1982 Macy's in Los Angeles and SanFrancisco start Passport increasing
social awareness of HIV/AIDS issues. To date Passport has raised some $22
million for the cause.
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1997 Macy's hits the World Wide Web and launches Macys.com
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2007 Federated Department Stores Inc. becomes Macy's Inc. building on the
brand strength of the name Macy's.
All of Macy's employees especially who perform at the Thanksgiving Day
Parade; which was started by the employees to celebrate their new American
heritage; are all truly the AmeriCAN®
Spirit
http://www1.macys.com/store/about/history/index.jsp
http://www.macysinc.com/company/his_macys.asp
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