The Parade and
National Climate

More than echoing the current events taking place in the country, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade subtly manifests the social and political climate of the nation as its citizens are affected by those events. Historically, wars and other events resulting in nation-wide distress have heavily impacted the presentation of the parade. In addition, the ruling cultural values of Americans have made repeated appearances in the parade throughout its history. Recently, racial diversity has taken its place among the American values displayed in the parade. In effect, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has functioned as a stage on which the experiences of the nation may be engaged.