Ticker tape parade

Ticker tape parade for presidential candidate Richard Nixon in New York in 1960, showing the classic streams of ticker tape.
Ticker tape parade in New York City in honor of the Apollo 11 astronauts, August 1969. Ticker tape was on its way out by this time, and much of the visible paper looks to be confetti and scrap paper.

A ticker tape parade is a parade event held in a built-up urban setting, allowing large amounts of shredded paper (originally actual ticker tape, but now mostly confetti) to be thrown from nearby office buildings onto the parade route, creating a celebratory effect by the snowstorm-like flurry. The concept originates from and is most usually associated with the United States, especially with New York City.

History

The term originated in New York City after a spontaneous celebration held on October 28, 1886, during the dedication of the Statue of Liberty[1] and is still most closely associated with New York City. The term ticker tape originally referred to the use of the paper output of ticker tape machines, which were remotely driven devices used in brokerages to provide updated stock market quotes. The term ticker came from the sound made by the machine as it printed.[2]

In New York City, ticker tape parades are reserved for special occasions. Soon after the first such parade in 1886, city officials realized the utility of such events and began to hold them on triumphal occasions, such as the return of Theodore Roosevelt from his African safari, Gertrude Ederle swimming the English Channel, and Charles Lindbergh's trans-Atlantic flight. The first individual to be honored with a ticker tape parade was Admiral George Dewey, hero of the battle of Manila Bay, in 1899, when two million people came out to New York City. [3] Following World War II, several ticker tape parades were given in honor of victorious generals and admirals, including General Dwight D. Eisenhower and Admiral Chester Nimitz. The largest was given for World War II and Korean War General Douglas MacArthur in 1951, after he was summarily relieved of duty by President Harry S. Truman.

The section of lower Broadway through the Financial District that serves as the parade route for these events is colloquially called the "Canyon of Heroes". The technology became obsolete in the 1960s, as television and computers came into use for transmitting financial information.[2] By the early 21st century, such parades became far more infrequent, largely limited to championship sports teams, and celebrations of the return of astronauts and military troops. Modern parades utilize waste office paper that have been cut using conventional paper shredders. The city also distributes paper confetti.[4][5]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "The Sights and Sightseers". The New York Times. October 29, 1886. Retrieved 2010-02-15.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Griffiths, Sarah (August 22, 2013). "Edison's famous ticker tape machine gets a modern makeover: Web developer invents gadget that prints TWEETS". Daily Mail.
  3. ↑ Laura Fitzpatrick "Brief History Ticker-Tape Parades." Time Magazine 6 November 2009
  4. ↑ Belson, Ken (February 7, 2008). "They Don’t Throw Paper Like They Used To". The New York Times.
  5. ↑ Matuszewski, Erik. "Giants, New York Set for First Ticker Tape Parade Since 2000". Bloomberg, 5 February 2008.