It’s Christmas! It’s Thursday! So we pulled together some of the coolest old Christmas pics we could find, for a #TBT from our city. All photos are from the former Philadelphia Evening Bulletin via Temple University Libraries.
Take a walk through Christmas past:
1942: Members of the Philadelphia Junior Red Cross package Christmas gifts to be sent abroad to Great Britain during World War II.
1944: Jane Eakins (left) and Connie Spane, whose husband is overseas, pack Christmas gifts to be sent to service men and women abroad. The gifts were contributed and made ready by the employees of the Yellow CabCo.
1944: Samuel J. Greene (left), 2nd District Commander of American Legion, and John Collins, 4th District Commander, stack Christmas gifts for servicemen and women serving in World War II.
1949: A Market Street meeting as crowds pour into city for 11th-hour Christmas shopping on Dec. 23.
1957: A group of carolers sings around around the large Christmas tree in Rittenhouse Square after lighting ceremonies.
1958: Women singing with the soloist of the Police and Fireman Band at Reyburn Plaza.
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1968: Santa Claus fireman James Fenerty gets an assist from Boy Scouts Jeffrey Jackson and Robert Coulter (kneeling) in tagging Christmas trees with a list of safety tips at the Robideau Christmas Center at Front St. and Oregon Ave.
1980: Here’s what Christmas at The Gallery looked like 35 years ago.
1981: 30th Street station is bustling with travelers on Christmas Eve.