Archives West Finding Aid

Seattle celebrated Independence Day in 1920 with a full day of events organized by a special committee appointed by Seattle Mayor Hugh M. Caldwell. Held on Monday July 5, the day's program opened in the morning with a parade down Second Avenue starting at Blanchard Street. With flags waving and bands playing, the column covered fifteen city blocks, and featured patriotic, civic, fraternal and labor organizations, as well as veterans and military groups. Organizations of the Central Labor Council occupied nearly half of the parade, and were escorted by "Uncle Sam" and "Joan of Arc" on horseback. The parade turned onto Yesler Way and disbanded at City Hall Park, where the crowd watched patriotic exercises, sang the "Star Spangled Banner," and listened to a reading of the Declaration of Independence. The crowd then disbursed to enjoy the rest of the day's celebrations at various parks and beaches across the city.

Thousands gathered for the full program of events in Woodland Park organized by the Central Labor Council. The arriving crowds of revelers taxed the street car service, in spite of the extra cars assigned to the run. The schedule started with a picnic at noon, and a "children's fairy land parade" thorugh the park at 1:30. At 2:30, spectators seated on the lawn before a stage watched a "Pageant of Democracy" which celebrated the history and promise of democracy across the globe.

Nearly all of those taking part in the "Pageant of Democracy" were members of organized labor unions, including women who worked as "Laundry girls, lady barbers, waitresses and bookbinders." The performers represented historical, allegorical and everyday figures related to the history of democracy, from ancient times to the present day. All 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence were played by members of organized labor, dressed in wigs and colonial era dress; of these men, four were direct descendants of the original signers. Others dressed as historical figures, including Abraham Lincoln and an ancient Greek man, as well as ordinary people from a variety of cultures. Nineteen nationalities joined in the closing scene of the pageant, titled "World Democracy for All."

After the pageant ended in the late afternoon, the day's program continued with sports events, including jiu-jitsu, fencing, and Swedish wrestling. From 6:45 to 8:45, revelers danced on the tennis courts and paved walks to music provided by Wagner's band. A water carnival took place at six o'clock on the Lake Union Canal, and a spectacular fireworks display over Green Lake after dark wrapped up the celebration.

Sources: Life and Labor by the National Women's Trade Union Leaders in America, 1921, p. 167; Seattle Daily Times, June 20, 1920 and July 6, 1920.