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Through the ages: Christmastime in New York City

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New York Post
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Dec 15, 2014

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An estimated 4000 people line both sides of 51st St. waiting to see the Christmas show at Radio City Music Hall in New York, Dec. 27, 1945.
An estimated 4,000 people line 51st Street waiting to see the Christmas show at Radio City Music Hall on Dec. 27, 1945. AP

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A Christmas Eve shopper with a crated rocking horse tries to hail a cab outside Macy's department store in New York City on Dec. 24, 1946.
A Christmas Eve shopper with a crated rocking horse tries to hail a cab outside Macy’s department store on Dec. 24, 1946. AP

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General scene showing Christmas Eve shoppers near Macy's in New York, Dec. 24, 1946.
Christmas Eve shoppers are seen near Macy’s in New York on Dec. 24, 1946. AP

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last minute Christmas Eve shoppers gather in front of Macy's window display on Dec. 24, 1946.
Last-minute Christmas Eve shoppers gather in front of Macy’s window display on Dec. 24, 1946. AP

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Mrs. Frances Corless and her daughter "Chickie" are loaded down with bundles after doing some last minute shopping at Macy's on Christmas Eve in New York, Dec. 24, 1946.
Mrs. Frances Corless and her daughter “Chickie” are loaded down with bundles after doing some last-minute shopping at Macy’s on Christmas Eve in 1946. AP

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The landmark Christmas tree at New York's Rockefeller Plaza stands out Dec. 26, 1947 as a few hardy pedestrians make their way through the snow drifts of one of the heaviest winter storms in years.
The landmark Christmas tree at Rockefeller Plaza stands out Dec. 26, 1947, as a few hardy pedestrians make their way through the snowdrifts of one of the heaviest winter storms in years. AP

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With the famed Rockefeller Center Christmas tree rising above them, skaters glide on the ice at the center's skating rink in midtown Manhattan on Dec. 8, 1949.
With the famed Rockefeller Center Christmas tree rising above them, skaters glide on the ice at the center’s skating rink in midtown Manhattan on Dec. 8, 1949. AP

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A silver-sprayed 75-foot high Norway spruce sparkles after its 7,500 bulbs were lighted for the first time in Rockefeller Center, Dec. 9, 1949 in New York.
A silver-sprayed 75-foot Norway spruce sparkles after its 7,500 bulbs were lighted for the first time in Rockefeller Center, Dec. 9, 1949. AP

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The pre-Christmas weekend holiday rush is on at Penn Station in New York, Dec. 21, 1951.
The pre-Christmas weekend holiday rush is on at Penn Station on Dec. 21, 1951. AP

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a night view of the famous christmas tree at Rockefeller Center, seen through the Channel Gardens from Fifth Avenue, in December 1955.
A night view of the famous Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center, seen through the Channel Gardens from Fifth Avenue, in December 1955. AP

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Christmas Tree Decorations in New York City's Rockefeller Center during the Christmas Holiday Season of 1959.
Christmas tree decorations in Rockefeller Center during the holiday season of 1959. AP

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A 65-foot Norway Spruce, the 27th annual Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center, is lowered into place at Rockefeller Plaza in New York City, Nov. 29, 1960.
A 65-foot Norway spruce, the 27th annual Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center, is lowered into place on Nov. 29, 1960. AP

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A night view of the famous christmas tree at Rockefeller Center, seen through the Channel Gardens from Fifth Avenue, in December 1961.
A night view of the famous Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center, seen through the Channel Gardens from Fifth Avenue, in December 1961. AP

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The 36 Rockettes go through a dance number as they rehearse for their Christmas show at Radio City Music Hall in New York in December 1963.
The 36 Rockettes go through a dance number as they rehearse for their Christmas show at Radio City Music Hall in New York in December 1963. AP

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Carols are sung beneath the illuminated Christmas tree in Rockefeller Plaza.
Carols are sung beneath the illuminated Christmas tree in Rockefeller Plaza in 1971. AP

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Ethel Kennedy, left, widow of the late Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, and Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, brother of Robert, skate with a young girl at New York's Rockefeller center skating rink, on Dec. 18, 1971.
Ethel Kennedy (left), widow of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, and Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, Robert’s brother, skate with a young girl at Rockefeller Center skating rink on Dec. 18, 1971. AP

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Christmas scenes at Rockefeller Center mall in New York City on Dec. 17, 1974.
Christmas scenes at Rockefeller Center mall in New York City on Dec. 17, 1974. AP

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Animals destined for the stage of Radio City Music Hall in New York on Nov. 13, 1986 are led to the stage door by their co-stars, the Rockettes dancers.
Animals destined for the stage of Radio City Music Hall are led to the stage door by their co-stars, the Rockettes dancers, on Nov. 13, 1986. AP

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Sidewalk Santas line up at the Lincoln Center in New York City on Nov. 27, 1987, to kick off the Volunteers of America annual fundraising effort in New York who have used the Santas for 80 years.
Sidewalk Santas line up at Lincoln Center on Nov. 27, 1987, to kick off the Volunteers of America annual fundraising effort. AP

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President Bill Clinton waves to well-wishers as he stops to view the Christmas Tree at Rockefeller Plaza in New York, Monday, Dec. 13, 1993.
President Bill Clinton waves to well-wishers as he stops to view the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Plaza, Dec. 13, 1993. AP

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Christmas trees take on a more festive look along Broadway and 85th Street in New York as a light snow descends on the Big Apple Thursday, Dec. 14, 1995.
Christmas trees take on a more festive look along Broadway and 85th Street as a light snow descends on the Big Apple, Dec. 14, 1995. AP

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Holiday shoppers make their way in front of Macy's department store in New York Saturday, Dec. 21, 1996.
Holiday shoppers make their way in front of Macy’s department store, Dec. 21, 1996. AP

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The Christmas tree in New York's Rockefeller Plaza is seen moments after the 26,000 lights decorating it were lit, Dec. 2, 1997.
The Christmas tree in Rockefeller Plaza is seen moments after the 26,000 lights decorating it were lit, Dec. 2, 1997. AP

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Tourists and pedestrians crowd the sidewalks in front of New York's Saks Fifth Avenue Friday Dec. 12, 1997, where the department store's windows add to the city's allure during the holidays.
Tourists crowd the sidewalks in front of Saks Fifth Avenue on Dec. 12, 1997, where the department store’s windows add to the city’s allure during the holidays. AP

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A worker guides the 1998 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree as it's lifted by crane from a truck, in New York, Thursday morning Nov. 12, 1998.
A worker guides the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree as it’s lifted by crane from a truck on Nov. 12, 1998. AP

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People ice skate on the Rockefeller Center skating rink which is framed by the statue of Prometheus and the center's 100-foot Norway spruce Thursday, Dec. 23, 1999, in New York.
People ice skate on the Rockefeller Center skating rink which is framed by the statue of Prometheus and the center’s 100-foot Norway spruce, Dec. 23, 1999. AP

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Radio City Rockettes Amy Burnette,left, and Danielle Jolie, right, escort camels and donkeys appearing in The Radio City Christmas Spectacular, for the first day of rehearsals in New York, Tuesday Nov. 5, 2002.
Radio City Rockettes Amy Burnette (left) and Danielle Jolie escort camels and donkeys appearing in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular for the first day of rehearsals on Nov. 5, 2002. AP

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A few lone drivers brave the snowy weather conditions in New York during a windy snow storm that covered the tri-state area, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2002.
A few drivers brave the streets during a windy snowstorm that covered the tri-state area on Dec. 25, 2002. AP

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The Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree stands lit in front of the General Electric building in New York's Rockefeller Plaza during the 71st annual treel lighting ceremony Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2003 in New York.
The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree stands lit in front of the General Electric building in Rockefeller Plaza during the 71st annual tree lighting ceremony on Dec. 3, 2003. AP

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As dawn breaks, Daniel Deschenes clears snow from the sidewalk in front of a stand where he is selling Christmas trees in the Upper East side neighborhood of New York Saturday Dec. 6, 2003.
As dawn breaks, Daniel Deschenes clears snow from the sidewalk in front of a stand where he is selling Christmas trees on the Upper East Side on Dec. 6, 2003. AP

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The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is seen behind a statue covered in snow in New York, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2003.
The Rockefeller Center Christmas tree is seen behind a statue covered in snow on Dec. 6, 2003. AP

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Prometheus, the Greek god of fire, left, overlooks the Rockefeller Center ice skating rink under the 79 foot tall Christmas tree in New York, Friday, Dec. 19, 2003.
The statue of Prometheus overlooks the Rockefeller Center ice skating rink under the 79-foot-tall Christmas tree on Dec. 19, 2003. AP

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Last-minute Christmas shoppers are shown at Macy's 34th Street store in New York, Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2003.
Last-minute Christmas shoppers are shown at Macy’s 34th Street store on Dec. 24, 2003. AP

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A white reindeer from the cast of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular climbs the steps of New York's St. John the Divine at the annual feast of St. Frances, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2004.
A white reindeer from the cast of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular climbs the steps of New York’s Cathedral of St. John the Divine at the annual feast of St. Frances, Oct. 3, 2004. AP

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Duncan Herb, left, helps his father Peter Herb, behind at center, carry their Christmas tree home down Sixth Avenue in New York Saturday, Dec. 18, 2004.
Duncan Herb (left) helps his father, Peter Herb, carry their Christmas tree home down Sixth Avenue on Dec. 18, 2004. AP

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Shoppers crowd the floor at Macy's the day after Thanksgiving November 24, 2006
Shoppers crowd the floor at Macy’s the day after Thanksgiving on Nov. 24, 2006. Getty Images

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annual tree lighting ceremony and Christmas celebration at Rockefeller Center on December 3, 2008
The annual tree lighting ceremony and Christmas celebration at Rockefeller Center on Dec. 3, 2008. Getty Images

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The Empire State Building is seen lit in green and red Christmas colors December 23, 2009
The Empire State Building is lit in Christmas colors on Dec. 23, 2009. Getty Images

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New Yorkers dressed as Santa Claus gather in Washington Square Park during the annual Santacon event December 12, 2009
New Yorkers dressed as Santa Claus gather in Washington Square Park during the annual Santacon event Dec. 12, 2009. Getty Images

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Rockettes "herd" camels into the Radio City Music Hall for their first day of rehearsals in October 2009.
Rockettes “herd” camels into the Radio City Music Hall for their first day of rehearsals in October 2009. Startraksphoto.com

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Shoppers move about in Macy's department store in Midtown Manhattan November 26, 2010
Shoppers move about in Macy’s department store in Midtown Manhattan Nov. 26, 2010. Getty Images

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A man waits to cross a snow-covered portion of Broadway in New York's Times Square December 28, 2010.
A man waits to cross a snow-covered portion of Broadway in New York’s Times Square on Dec. 28, 2010. Reuters

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People walk through the afternoon snow in Manhattan's Union Square December 26, 2010
People walk through the afternoon snow in Manhattan’s Union Square Dec. 26, 2010. Getty Images

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Paul Chernosky, dressed as Santa Claus skates and entertains adults and children at the ice skating rink at Rockefeller Center December 20, 2011
Paul Chernosky, dressed as Santa Claus, skates and entertains adults and children at the ice skating rink at Rockefeller Center Dec. 20, 2011. Getty Images

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Mayor Michael Bloomberg helps to bang a stake into the base of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree on November 11, 2011 in New York City.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg helps bang a stake into the base of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree on Nov. 11, 2011, in New York City. Getty Images

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Justin Bieber pre-tapes his performance for NBC's Christmas tree lighting at Rockefeller Center November 23, 2011
Justin Bieber pre-tapes his performance for NBC’s Christmas tree lighting at Rockefeller Center Nov. 23, 2011. WireImage

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Christine Hanley, from the Upper East Side, snow skiis in Central Park one week before Christmas in 2013.
Christine Hanley, of the Upper East Side, skis in Central Park one week before Christmas in 2013. Warzer Jaff

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Mariah Carey performs at the 82nd Annual Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on December 3, 2014.
Mariah Carey performs at the 82nd annual Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting ceremony on Dec. 3, 2014. WireImage

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The 82nd Annual Rockefeller Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony commences on December 3, 2014.
The 82nd annual Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting ceremony commences on Dec. 3, 2014. WireImage

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The New York Stock Exchange Celebrates the 91st Annual Christmas Tree Lighting on December 9, 2014.
The New York Stock Exchange celebrates the 91st annual Christmas tree lighting on Dec. 9, 2014. WireImage

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