#old ny

For years, May 1 was celebrated as International Workers' Day, also known as Labor Day in some countries, and often referred to as May Day. Here, in 1929, these five South Carolinan textile strike leaders marched in the Communist May Day Parade at Union Square. They carried signs, some of which pleaded for help, and others read, "Everyone on the picket line! Defy the Injunction!" May Day in New York passed quietly.

The original caption of this photo, taken April 15, 1926, was:

Working on the theory that their grandmothers enjoyed their pipe and bowl, girls are forming a pipe smokers club and it is yet possible, following this line of thought, that the girls will soon be seen smoking cigars. Among the founders of the club, who met at Keens Chop House on West 44th Street to draft a constitution and bylaws, are Misses Irene Dunne, Irma Marwich, and Lane Blair of the "Sweetheart Time" Co.

Could "Irene Dunne" have been the actress? It's possible—she was appearing on Broadway at the time.

South Street, 1932.

This could be a drawing but is actually a photograph of the Third Avenue El at Houston St., 1949.

Theodore A. Clement grimaces while police squeeze his thumbs on January 9, 1956, for a confession in a shooting during a poker game in Glendale, Queens.

Two construction workers on top of the Waldorf Astoria Towers before the construction project was completed in 1931. Central Park can be seen in the upper-left corner.

New Yorkers do everything on the roof. 1945.