- Cyber Monday was the
- But 100 years ago, locals of cities like New York would battle large crowds while shopping on busy streets.
- Photos pulled from the Library of Congress' archives show what it was like to shop in New York in the early 1900s. A lot has changed since then.
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Amazing vintage photos show what it was like to go holiday shopping in New York City 100 years ago
These photos show how those living in New York between 1900 and 1915 shopped and stocked up for the holiday season.
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This year, online shopping surged during both Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
But in the not-so-distant past, shoppers were out in droves at brick-and-mortar stores, waiting in long lines and sometimes even getting caught in all-out brawls over limited-release items.
While the term "Black Friday" wasn't officially coined until the 1960s, when
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Sixth Avenue was a popular destination for Christmas shoppers.
These shoppers had on their Sunday best for the outing.
Rocking horses, drums, and baby dolls were sold as gifts for children.
People often shopped along 42nd Street, near Fifth Avenue.
The sidewalks got packed.
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Women and children donated items to the Salvation Army Christmas dinner.
More shoppers flocked the sidewalk on another corner of Sixth Avenue.
Even in the early 1900s, storefronts decked out their windows with Christmas displays ...
... though some were more elaborate than others.
Men dressed as Santa stood in the streets, collecting charity donations.
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Christmas-themed postcards were sold by street vendors.
Some cards cost only one cent.
Toy birds were also sold on the street.
Children would gaze and gawk at the toys.
A Christmas tree was put up in Madison Square Park.
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Store displays caught the eyes of commuters as well.
This store's product display caught the attention of many window shoppers.
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