1915 photograph shows a huge American flag being carried through the streets of Washington, D.C., during a Grand Army of the Republic parade made up of Civil War veterans. Dozens of men are needed just to support the flag, underscoring how large and symbolic these public displays had become.
The Great Parade, Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C., U.S.A.
1897 stereograph shows the Great Parade along Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C., with massive crowds packed along the street and sidewalks. Events like this were central to public life in the nation’s capital, turning major avenues into gathering places for civic celebration and national display. Americans came together in person to mark important moments, long before radio or television, also reflecting the popularity of stereographs, which brought scenes from Washington to viewers across the country.
Parade of Civil War veterans and children carrying American and Alaska flags
A patriotic parade moving down a busy main street, with marchers carrying American flags past stores and restaurants. Signs for a U.S. Navy Yard and a Great Northern Railway office highlight how military activity and rail transportation shaped local life and commerce. Spectators line the sidewalks while cars and bicycles share the road, capturing a moment when older traditions and modern life overlapped.
Liberty Parade on Fifth Avenue WWI Era
Crowds pack Fifth Avenue as a massive American flag is carried up the street during a World War I–era Liberty Bond parade in New York City. Marchers in uniform hats support the enormous banner while spectators line the sidewalks and hang from windows above, reflecting the national push to fund the war effort through public bond sales.