Detroit Fourth of July celebrations through the years

"Black and white photographic print with a decorative border taken at the 1932 Fourth of July parade on Michigan Avenue at Griswold Street facing north. A parade float consisting of a large Uncle Sam hat above a group of people wearing sashes, and an ornate carriage at the end where a man and woman in fancy costume stand is being pulled west along Michigan Avenue behind a truck. A banner reading, "All Nations Under One Hat," is hung from the side of the float. The Peoples Wayne County Bank, David Stott Building, and Dr. Adams' dentist office are in the background. "Jul 4 1932," and "108," are stamped on the verso."

"Sepia-toned group photograph taken of people sitting and standing on the porch of the home of Mr. and Mrs. George H. Russel in Grosse Pointe for a Fourth of July celebration. Several people are holding American flags. On the verso is a handwritten description "Picture taken July 4, 1891 on porch of house of Mr. & Mrs. George H. Russel, Grosse Pointe," along with the names of the people in the photograph: "Mr. & Mrs. E. A. Sumner, Charles B. King, Alice King, Madeline King, Bessie Wright, Mr. & Mrs. W. K. Anderson, Mr. & Mrs. John R. Russel, Miss Sarah Russel, Miss Anne D. Russel, Edward A. Sumner Jr., Anna Sumner, Mrs. James J. Shaw, George B. Russel, Albert Russel, Sallie Russel, Philip Russel, Raymond Russel, Catherine Russel, Francis Russel, Marian Russel, James A. Venable, Anne Anderson, Pally Anderson, Sue Anderson, Louis B. Wright, Catherine Clark Anderson, Bessie Venable, Walter Brandon, Mr. & Mrs. George H. Russel, George L. Courtney.""

"Sepia-toned photographic print from the studio of Louis James Pesha depicting a large crowd gathered in Campus Martius, for the automobile parade held as part of the Cadillaqua celebration overlapping with the Fourth of July, as viewed from an elevated position, likely at the Majestic Building, facing south. A banner, reading, "Harold Jarvis will sing of Masonic Moonlight on steamer STE. CLAIRE," "City of the Straits Lodge, Mon. July 29," and "Mon. July 29."

The majority of the crowd are wearing hats, and boater hats appear to be the predominant style. Streetcars make their way through the crowd, and those headed north on Woodward Avenue carry additional passengers on their roofs. A utility pole near the Michigan Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument has become a perch for several spectators as well. American flags are hung from nearly every other window of the Pontchartrain Hotel. A large sign reading, "Conventions & Auto Bulletin" is posted above the corner of Woodward and Fort Street. To its right are several signs advertising railroad lines—Canadian Pacific, Pere Marquette, Union Pacific and Southern Pacific. This corner is also draped with flags and banners. The stretch of Woodward leading to the Detroit River is similarly decorated. "Detroit, Mich. 1907, NA 66537-B" handwritten on verso."

"One sepia-toned photograph of the congregation of St. James Lutheran Church in Detroit. The photo is mounted on white matte board and shows a large group of men, women, and children who are standing or seated in a park. All are well-dressed in Sunday attire. A grassy lawn is visible in the foreground and tall trees can be seen in the background. A middle-aged man with a moustache and bowler hat in the right center background may be church pastor, Rev. August G. Bergener, although he does not appear to be wearing a clerical collar. A handwritten note attached to the photo reads 'Probably a picture taken at the annual picnic at Clark Park. The group marched over to the park every year on the Fourth of July for this event in the early years.'"

"Black and white photographic print depicting a group of baseball players, presumably members of the Old Time Base Ball Players' Association. A few of the men wear Detroit Tigers uniforms while another wears Boston Red Sox uniform. Dated July 4, 1919."

"Black and white photographic print depicting two men standing in Hart Plaza holding an American and Canadian flag, wearing helmets and parachutes. In the background are the Renaissance Center, Ford Auditorium and many people. Caption reads: Skydivers carrying American and Canadian flags are symbolic of the 24 year-old Detroit/Windsor International Freedom Festival. Their free fall and landing on Hart Plaza is part of the International Air and Water Show on June 25 and June 26. The Freedom Festival is a ten day celebration of friendship and freedom between the United States and Canada. It features more than 50 events and runs from Friday, June 25 through Sunday, July 4. Contact: Sharlan Douglas"

"Black and white photographic print with a decorative border taken at the 1932 Fourth of July parade on Michigan Avenue at Griswold Street facing northeast. A parade float consisting of a flower-covered car pulling a similarly decorated trailer atop of which a group of men in 18th century costume sit around a table. A sign reading, "U.S. Rubber Company," is attached to the side of the trailer, next to where "1776" is written in flowers. A crowd stands in the background along Michigan in front of the Peoples Wayne County Bank. "Jul 4 1932," and "108," are stamped on the verso."

"Black and white photographic print with a decorative border taken at the 1932 Fourth of July parade on Michigan Avenue at the intersection of Griswold Street facing northeast. A group of mounted police officers ride in two lines along Michigan. The Peoples Wayne County Bank stands in the background. "Jul 4 1932," and "108," are stamped on the verso."

"Black and white photographic print with a decorative border taken at the 1932 Fourth of July parade on Michigan Avenue at Griswold Street facing northeast. Three men walk alongside a horse-drawn carriage carrying a man and two children, heading west along Michigan. A group of children follow behind the carriage. A crowd stands in the background along Michigan in front of the Peoples Wayne County Bank. "Jul 4 1932," and "108," are stamped on the verso."

"Black and white photographic print with a decorative border taken at the 1932 Fourth of July parade on Michigan Avenue between Shelby Street and Griswold Street facing east. A group of men wearing Revolutionary War costume on horseback, surrounded by men in contemporary military dress proceed west along Michigan. A photographer is taking of picture of one of the men in modern uniform, who holds a flag on which "George Washington" is embroidered. A crowd lines both sides of Michigan. Bowles Lunch, and Rose's Men's Service barbershop are among the storefronts on the north side of Michigan. The Family Theatre, City Hall, Cadillac Square Building, the Michigan Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument, and the Wayne County Building are all visible in the background. "Jul 4 1932," and "108," are stamped on the verso."

"Color negative taken of a crowd gathered on the parade grounds of Fort Wayne, likely to watch the Windsor–Detroit International Freedom Festival fireworks display, as taken from the north end of the hill at the west side of the field. In the foreground a baby leans on a red cooler between two adults. Other groups of spectators seated on blankets or in lawn chairs spot the grounds. A bank of portable toilets have been installed along the path at the foot of the hill. A stage has been set up along the riverfront. A freighter is visible on the Detroit River in the background. The film was previously housed in a GK Photographics envelope, with "AAA 4-20-88, Fort Wayne," handwritten on it."

"Black and white photo of MISS PEPSI (U-99) background, and SUCH CRUST (U-1) foreground, racing on the Detroit River. The Belle Isle shoreline can be seen in the background. On the verso is the name Ray Moore and the notation - "start of 2nd heat." The back of the photo is also marked "Detroit Times, July 4, 1949." The Detroit Memorial Race was held on July 4th in 1949."

"Black and white photographic print depicting a fireworks display over the Detroit River at night, with the Renaissance Center and Blue Cross Blue Shield Building in the background.

Caption #1 reads- The Hudson's-Stroh's fireworks extravaganza will again be the "crowning jewel" in the events planned for the Detroit-Windsor International Freedom Festival, June 30 - July 4. This year's fireworks display will begin downtown at dusk on June 30 and will conclude after several tons of colorful starbursts have been shot into the night sky from barges on the Detroit River. In case of bad weather, everything will be rescheduled for July 1. The fireworks is only one of over 75 Festival events.

Caption #2 reads- For release on or after Tuesday, June 5, 1979. Detroit River "lights up" June 29 - For the 21st consecutive year, the spectacular Freedom Festival Fireworks will herald the opening of Detroit and Windsor's annual celebration. This year's fireworks display will begin at 9:55 p.m., Friday, June 29, from barges anchored midway in the Detroit River opposite the Veterans Memorial Building, Cobo Hall and Ford Auditorium. More than 600,000 people are expected to watch the seven tons of colorful starbursts light up the skylines of the two cities. In case of bad weather, everything will be rescheduled for Saturday, June 30."

"Black and white photographic print depicting a fireworks display over the Detroit River at night, with the downtown skyline in the background. In view are Ford Auditorium, the City-County Building, Buhl Building, and Cobo Arena under construction.

Caption reads- Freedom is a Happy Thing: The largest crowd in the history of Detroit and Windsor ever to assemble for a single event, an estimated million people, saw the J.L. Hudson sponsored fireworks, highlight of the annual International Freedom Festival (Detroit-Windsor). The spectacular fireworks took place off barges in the middle of the Detroit River. Handwritten on verso: Used in Motor News June, 1960"

"Black and white photographic print depicting a fireworks display over the Detroit River at night, with the Ambassador Bridge to the left and the Renaissance Center to the right. The river is filled with small boats.

Caption reads- Freedom Festival Fireworks - One of the highlights of the 1984 Detroit-Windsor International Freedom Festival was the riverfront fireworks display captured in this photograph by Mark Cornillie. It appeared in newspapers around the country.

An estimated one million people turn out for the show sponsored by Hudson's, Stroh's, WDIV-TV 4 and WMJC-FM. Handwritten on verso: Used June 1985 Michigan Living"

"Black and white photographic print depicting a fireworks display over the Detroit River at night, with the downtown skyline in the background. In view are Cobo Center, Detroit Bank and Trust Tower, One Woodward Avenue, and City-County Building."

"Black and white photographic print depicting a fireworks display over the Detroit River at night, with the downtown skyline in the background. In view are the Renaissance Center, Cobo Arena, Guardian Building, and City-County Building.

Caption reads: International skies will light up as more than eight tons of fireworks are launched from the Detroit River on June 30 at the 24th International Freedom Festival. The largest fireworks display in North America is sponsored by the J. L. Hudson Co., the Stroh Brewery Co., and WDIV TV-Channel 4. Contact: Sharlan Douglas"

"Black and white photo of the busy lanes of traffic approaching the inspection booths beyond the Windsor exit of the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel during the Fourth of July holiday, 1947. "Jul 4 1947" is stamped on the verso below a clipping from the Windsor Daily Star:

Hard-working customs and immigration men started to "celebrate" the Fourth of July at the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel last nigh when the first influx of American holidaymakers hit this port of entry. Officials predicted records would be shattered before the flow of tourists ends tonight. The picture above shows part of the mass "invasion" of American cars waiting to be cleared through the tunnel facilities into downtown Windsor. Although the bulk of the cars were from Detroit and other nearby points in Michigan, any autos from other states were counted in the early lineups. (Star Staff Photo)"

"Black and white photographic print depicting a parade of antique cars traveling west on Jefferson Avenue, with the Mariners' Church, Renaissance center, and entrance to the Detroit-Windsor Tunnel in the background.

Caption reads: One of the truly international events of the International Freedom Festival is the Wheels of Freedom Antique Car Display and parade. More than 200 antique, classic and collector cars participate in this event. The day begins with a morning exhibit and judging in Windsor's City Hall Square. The car parade crosses the Ambassador Bridge and ends up in the New center Area for awards ceremonies. Children, adults and senior citizens will gather in New Center to enjoy entertainment of all kinds including music from the '30s through the eighties."

"Black and white photographic print depicting a military brass band performing in the Hart Plaza amphitheater In the background is the Down Under restaurant and people watching from above.

Caption reads: Military bands have traditionally been a highlight of the International Freedom Festival. This year the Festival will showcase the U.S.A.F. Presidential Drill Team, Tops in Blue, the First Marine Band and other musical groups representing the talents of our armed forces."