Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade through the years

Since 1924 the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade has made its way through Manhattan to the Herald Square flagship store. It was originally known as the Macy's Christmas Parade when it began 89 years ago and renamed in 1927. The first parade was organized as a celebration of the store's expansion making it was Macy's called "the world's largest store." Here are some images of the parade over the years.

In this photo, a large outdoor float of Captain Nemo makes its way down the street during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, on Nov. 28, 1929.

1930

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade passes down Broadway in New York on Nov. 27, 1930.

The parade's first giant balloons debuted in 1927. Felix the Cat has been part of the parade ever since.

1940

A helium inflated Superman rises over Times Square to lead the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1940.

According to Macy's, in 1929, a newly added safety valve allowed helium to slowly seep out of the balloons as they floated above the city's streets.

1946

A giant baseball player float moves down 7th Avenue during the first televised Macy' Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nov. 28, 1946.

1958

Some of the Radio City Music Hall's Rockettes as they were performing in the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade in New York City on Nov. 27, 1958.

Some of the police-estimated 1,250,000 people that watched the parade keep an eye on the dancers as they approach 34th Street and Broadway, near the end of the march.

1959

Former child film star Shirley Temple and her children Ride a float in the Annual Thanksgiving Day parade in in New York City, Nov. 26, 1959

1988

Handlers of Sesame Street's Big Bird get the balloon in position for the start of the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York Cityy Nov. 24, 1988. Big Bird was a new addition that year.

1994

Workers inflate the giant dog balloon Beethoven in Manhattan's Upper West Side the night before the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Nov. 23, 1994.

2001

The Mobile Azalea Trail Maids, from Mobile, Ala., march in the 75th annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade as it makes its way down Broadway in New York City, Nov. 22, 2001.

2002

Workers help inflate a giant Clifford the Big Red Dog helium balloon in preparation for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, Nov. 27, 2002.

2004

The Charlie Brown balloon floats down Broadway during the 78th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, Nov. 25, 200. The parade featured 15 giant character balloons and 27 floats.

2005

A young girl wearing a turkey cap watches the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City on November 24, 2005.

2013

A giant Uncle Sam balloon is marched down Sixth Avenue during the 87th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City in 2013. Helium makes the huge balloons in the parade sail high above the crowd.

2013

Crystal Nix, left, and Destiny Golden brave the cold while sitting on bleachers as they wait for the 87th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, Nov. 28, 2013.

2014

A Power Ranger balloon cruises along Central Park West during the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, in New York City, Nov. 27, 2014.