History in the Making: The 80th Anniversary Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade(R) Welcomes The History Channel(R)

History in the Making: The 80th Anniversary Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade(R) Welcomes The History Channel(R)

- Multi-level partnership includes new Parade float and documentary tracing the history of America's Parade -

NEW YORK, Oct. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- For 80 years, the phrase Let's Have a Parade has ushered in the beginning of the holiday season and on Thursday, November 23, 2006, history will be made as the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade(R) enters its 8th decade and steps into the record books. Helping to mark this momentous occasion will be a tribute to history itself with the addition of The History Channel(R) float to the legendary lineup of the Macy's Parade. This amazing float will delight millions of Parade spectators as it showcases landmarks and landmark moments in New York City's rich and multi-faceted history.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20061017/NYTU166 )
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20051031/HISTORYLOGO )

Along with the new float, The History Channel multi-level Parade participation includes the production of an hour-long documentary on the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Considered by many to be America's Parade, the documentary, titled Inside Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, is set to air on Wednesday, November 22 at 7:00 p.m. ET/PT. It will trace the Parade's roots from its inception in 1924 by a group of immigrant Macy's employees, its immortalization in the holiday film classic Miracle on 34th Street, to its world-renowned present day holiday defining status.

Designed to mirror a child's tin wind-up toy, The History Channel float will feature a giant replica of New York City's most famous skyscraper, the Empire State Building. In addition, the float will reveal through its wind-up motion, iconic dates, celebrations and locations, tracing the history of New York City. Through the artistry of the Macy's Parade Studio team, the float will feature landmark events throughout history from the unveiling of the Statue of Liberty to Babe Ruth's defining moments at Yankee Stadium, to the world-famous World War II "Kiss" in Times Square, all helping to bring history to life.

"I think it's only fitting that this spectacular new The History Channel float should join us in this important and historic year for the Parade," says Robin Hall, Macy's Executive Producer. "The team at Macy's Studio have really outdone themselves with this unique and novel float design that captures key moments in New York's storied history though a series of ever-changing tableaux; colorful snapshots that are a true and telling picture of the most vibrant city on earth."

"The creative geniuses at Macy's have exceeded all expectations with the creation of The History Channel float, which is designed to celebrate the magnificence and rich history of New York City," says Michael Mohamad, Senior Vice President of Marketing for The History Channel. "We are honored that this is the first float to enter the Parade as a result of the public/private partnership between our network and New York City. It will stand as a testament to New York City's historic landmarks while at the same time millions of Parade viewers will be exposed to the wonders of heritage tourism in our great city."

About The History Channel:

The History Channel(R) is one of the leading cable television networks featuring compelling original, non-fiction specials and series that bring history to life in a powerful and entertaining manner across multiple platforms. The network provides an inviting place where people experience history in new and exciting ways enabling them to connect their lives today to the great lives and events of the past that provide a blueprint for the future. The History Channel has earned three Peabody Awards, three Primetime Emmy(R) Awards, ten News and Documentary Emmy(R) Awards and received the prestigious Governor's Award from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for the network's Save Our History(R) campaign dedicated to historic preservation and history education. The History Channel reaches more than 90 million Nielsen subscribers. The website is located at www.History.com.

Press Only: For more information and photography please visit us on the web at www.historychannelpress.com.

About the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade:

With more than 50 million viewers across the country and more than 3.5 million spectators that line up along the streets of New York City each year, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is a national icon that has grown into a world-famous holiday event. For 79 years, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade has marked the official start of the holiday season. Growing in size and scale, the Parade proudly marches down a 2.5-mile route in New York City with over 10,000 participants in tow including Macy's employees, their families, celebrities, athletes, clowns and dance groups spreading holiday cheer. The Parade also features America's best marching bands, fabulous floats and Macy's signature giant helium character balloons. For more information on the Macy's Parade please visit www.macysparade.com or call the Parade hotline at (212) 494-4495.

Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20051031/HISTORYLOGO

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20061017/NYTU166
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN8
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Source: The History Channel

CONTACT: Orlando Veras, Macy's Publicity, +1-212-494-3893,
Orlando.Veras@macys.com, for Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade; or Lynn Gardner
of The History Channel, +1-212-850-9322, Lynn.Gardner@aetn.com

Web site: http://www.history.com/
http://www.macysparade.com/

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