Unless you have school-age kids who had the day off, you might not have even realized that last week we celebrated Brooklyn-Queens Day last Thursday. Originally founded in 1829, the holiday historically hosted a huge parade, seen at right in the photograph which FTLOB contributor Peter Puleo dug up, which features the procession of revelers at Ocean Avenue and Lincoln Road in 1952. What might surprise you, though, are the origins of the holiday. According to the Queens Public Library,

Back then it was known, and fondly remembered by some, as Anniversary Day. Anniversary Day is celebrated annually on the first Thursday in June, commemorating the founding of the First Sunday School on Long Island. The first parade was held in Brooklyn June 1829.

To commemorate this year’s 181st annual Brooklyn-Queens Day, Peter also unearthed the wonderful photographs below which feature a wide range of Brooklyn pride and history. For more reading, I suggest this great line-up of archived Brooklyn Daily Eagle articles about Anniversary Day (mostly from the 1800′s) over at Gothamist. Hope you enjoy!

The first American ICBM (intercontinental ballistic missile) on display at Coney Island in the 1950′s. The 80-foot missile was set to launch on May 24th, Armed Services Day.

Celebrating the Dodgers Pennant win in 1949.

At Pitkin Avenue and Watkins Street in Brownsville, 1957. This was Nathan’s biggest competitor and it eventually became the Papaya King in the city.

Sutter Avenue in Brownsville, 1949.

Lafayette Avenue and Grand Avenue in Bed-Stuy, 1929.