For the past 89 years (yes, that’s a long time), the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has been New York City's official kick-off to the holiday season.

Every year millions-- no really, millions-- of people storm NYC to watch the giant balloons, one-of-a-kind floats, and amazing performances march down Central Park West and 6th Avenue on the day of Thanksgiving.

More than 3.5 million people come to watch in person, and more than 50 million watch the parade on TV. So, it’s kind of a big deal. We’re sure you already know.

Want to know the history behind this extraordinarily high profile parade?

Here's how it went down. On Thanksgiving morning in 1924, Macy's held a parade to increase business and publicity. The theme? Christmas, and as it naturally follows, shopping.

The store employees dressed in wild costumes and walked six miles from Harlem down to Macy's in Herald Square. The parade was concluded by Santa Claus plopping into a golden throne above Macy's entrance and inviting all in attendance to come shop.

The parade was such a success that they did it again the next year, and again the year after that, and again and again and again, for the past 89 years.

There were, of course, some alterations in the parade's tradition. The zoo animals that came on that very first parade got way tired on that long walk, especially since they're used to being kept in small, confined spaces.

The solution? The the massive balloon animals we know so well. The first ever balloon animal was Felix the Cat in 1927. In the olden, golden days, it used to be tradition that the balloons were released and allowed to drift into the wind. Anyone who recovered a balloon and returned it to Macy's would get a gift.

Needless to say, that tradition's been discontinued. There are way too many huge balloons for that now.

Today's parade's been shortened to 2.5 miles, and it's grown and morphed into the wild spectacle we're familiar with today. It's the flagship Thanksgiving event, and the official start to the cheery, beery holiday season in NYC. 

Now check out the photos below to see how it all started.

Via Untapped Cities

Via New York Daily News

Via Print Magazine

Via Print Magazine

Via Print Magazine