These Photos From The 1930s Show Some Of History's Most Pivotal Moments

When it comes to the defining decades of the 20th century, the 1930s are too often overlooked. It doesn't help that they're sandwiched between the Roaring '20s and World War II. But how much could really have happened in those ten years? A lot, as it turns out! The '30s were filled with triumphs, heartbreak, and some of history's most incredible moments — and here are the photos to prove it.

Who doesn't love a parade?

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade began in 1924 but didn't feature its now-iconic balloons until a few years later. And as this photo from 1931 shows, the inflatable animals were a big hit — even if they were creepy by today's standards. Just three years later, Mickey Mouse would make his first appearance, too.

Animation for all

In 1937 Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs also hit movie theaters for the very first time. And while animated movies are commonplace today, this wasn't the case back then. Walt Disney's work quite literally changed the entertainment world. It earned Disney a business empire, too — one that still rakes in billions of dollars a year.

The need for speed

The 1930s was a time of incredible technological progress and innovation, too. The Duesenberg Mormon Meteor, pictured here, was specifically designed to break the land-speed record. And it did just that in 1937, reaching a velocity of 157.27 mph. The Mormon Meteor did even better, hitting a 24-hour record of 161.180 mph just three years later.

Living legend

People weren't just pushing limits on the ground, though. Amelia Earhart took to the skies! She's pictured here with her navigator Fred Noonan. Sadly, after breaking several records, Earhart vanished in 1937 during an attempt to circumnavigate the globe. Noonan disappeared, too, and their ultimate fate is still a mystery — as is the location of their plane.