Life — March 13, 1913 — page 12: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# St. Patrick's Day in New York, 1920: The Parade of the Survivors This illustration depicts the St. Patrick's Day parade in New York City in 1920, captioned "The Parade of the Survivors." The cartoon shows a massive, chaotic street celebration with large decorative structures and crowds. The key historical context: 1920 was shortly after World War I ended (1918), so "survivors" refers to soldiers returning home. The satire appears to celebrate Irish-American participation in the war effort, with various patriotic and celebratory signage visible throughout the crowded street scene. The cartoon captures both the exuberance of post-war celebration and the ethnic identity of Irish-Americans during the Prohibition era, using the traditional parade as a vehicle for depicting American society's relief and joy at war's conclusion.