Vintage Photos Of People Partying On New Year's Eve Since 1876

Daniel Goodman
party, old, vintage

Photo: Library of Congress

New Year’s celebrations have been going on for a long, long time. But we’ve only been able to get photographic proof of it since the late 1800s. Taking a look at the Library of Congress’ extensive collection of historic photographs, we found some fun examples of the ways we used to get down on New Year’s Eve.

From the mundane to Philadelphia’s famous Mummers Parade, pictures from 1876 to the 1940s show how things have changed and how they have stayed the same.

1876: New Year's Eve, seems pretty tame.

1907: New Year's Eve celebration at Restaurant Martin in New York City. Things have gotten livelier!

1909: Jewish women pray along the Williamsburg Bridge in New York City on New Year's Day.

1909: A New Year's reception at the White House.

1909: The annual Mummers Parade in Philadelphia is one of the oldest folk festivals in America. Here is the parade in 1909.

The parade involves different groups that prepare elaborate costumes and performances.

The parade has always been able to draw a crowd.

Sometime between 1910 and 1915, this is a photo of a happening cafe on New Year's Eve.

1922: Los Angeles' Chinatown on New Year's Eve

1941: This is the staff of Mr. Tweedy with the Turkish Consul General.

1942: The DiCostanzo family (Mr. and Mrs. DiCostanzo pictured here) owned a restaurant on Mulberry Street in New York City. They held an annual family dinner at their restaurant on New Year's eve.

Just because there is a party doesn't mean they can't make some meatball subs for a couple of takeout customers.

Looks like it was a pretty fun affair.

This is Mrs. DiCostanzo towards the end of the meal.

1942: This lonely soldier stands next to a recruitment sign on New Year's eve in Detroit, MI.

In a party nearby a young woman takes soldiers' formal hats...

So they can put something a little more fun on.

1943: Church-goers exiting Saint Dominick's church on Sullivan Street on New Year's Day.

1943: Children blowing horns on Bleeker St on New Year's Day. With a classic background photobomb.

Want to check out some more old photos?

VINTAGE PHOTOS: Take A Tour Of Manhattan In The 1940s >

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