Rose Parade canceled for first time since WW2

Rose Parade.
(Image credit: ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)

Throughout the United States' participation in World War II, from 1942 to 1945, the Rose Parade — the annual event that precedes college football's Rose Bowl Game in Pasadena, California, on New Year's Day — did not take place. Since then, people have gathered for it for 74 straight years, but that streak will come to an end in January 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic, parade officials announced Wednesday.

The officials were trying to figure out a way to proceed with the event safely, but a sound strategy proved too difficult, especially since the virus is surging throughout California. They are, however, hoping to plan a televised event, as well as a socially-distanced celebration for local residents.

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Tim O'Donnell

Tim is a staff writer at The Week and has contributed to Bedford and Bowery and The New York Transatlantic. He is a graduate of Occidental College and NYU's journalism school. Tim enjoys writing about baseball, Europe, and extinct megafauna. He lives in New York City.