When we wake on Thanksgiving morn to the scent of spices and the warm glow of the gas oven, do we ever really think about the origin of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade we spend the morning watching? If not, it’s probably a good idea to reflect on the history of this holiday tradtion.

The first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade took place in 1924, when a group of Macy’s employees marched to their flagship store on New York’s 34th Street to honor their American heritage. The employees, many of whom were immigrants, wore costumes, enlisted bands, and borrowed live animals from the Central Park Zoo. The event culminated in the appearance of Santa Claus at Herald Square.

Three years later, the tradition evolved when the live animals were replaced with animal-shaped balloons-the most recognizable of which was Felix the Cat. The debut of a popular cartoon animal was so well-received that more cartoon character balloons and floats began to emerge. (It would be ten years after the very first parade when Mickey Mouse made his first appearance as part of the festivities.)

The parade has only strengthened in the years since its inception. It has endured, regardless of weather, with just one two-year break (1942-1944) due to World War II, when the rubber and helium used for balloons were instead for the war effort.