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Women wave from a Navy recruiting float in the Bud Billiken Day Parade as it passes 49th Street and South Parkway in 1958.
Women wave from a Navy recruiting float in the Bud Billiken Day Parade as it passes 49th Street and South Parkway in 1958.
Queen of the Bud Billiken Parade, center, in 1955. Editors note: this photo has a hand painted background.
Queen of the Bud Billiken Parade, center, in 1955. Editors note: this photo has a hand painted background.
The annual Bud Billiken Parade and Picnic has been held every August in Chicago since 1929. Founded by Chicago Defender publisher Robert S. Abbott, it became the largest African-American parade in the United States, founded to be a celebration of African-American life. Here, Chicago Mayor Martin Kennelly, left, and Chicago Defender Publisher John Sengstacke attend the parade in 1948.
The annual Bud Billiken Parade and Picnic has been held every August in Chicago since 1929. Founded by Chicago Defender publisher Robert S. Abbott, it became the largest African-American parade in the United States, founded to be a celebration of African-American life. Here, Chicago Mayor Martin Kennelly, left, and Chicago Defender Publisher John Sengstacke attend the parade in 1948.
South Side beauties ride in the Bud Billiken Parade on Aug. 7, 1948.
South Side beauties ride in the Bud Billiken Parade on Aug. 7, 1948.
President Harry Truman, from left, John Sengstacke and Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley ride in the 1956 Bud Billiken Pardae. Sengstacke was the publisher of the Chicago Defender.
President Harry Truman, from left, John Sengstacke and Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley ride in the 1956 Bud Billiken Pardae. Sengstacke was the publisher of the Chicago Defender.
From left, Beverly Glenn, 12, Elizabeth Barnes, 11, and Rita Black, are baton twirlers in the Bud Billiken Parade of 1951.
From left, Beverly Glenn, 12, Elizabeth Barnes, 11, and Rita Black, are baton twirlers in the Bud Billiken Parade of 1951.
Boxer Joe Louis and his wife ride along Michigan Avenue in the Bud Billiken Parade on Aug. 7, 1948.
Boxer Joe Louis and his wife ride along Michigan Avenue in the Bud Billiken Parade on Aug. 7, 1948.
Each year, two youngsters get to be the parade's king and queen, seen here at the Bud Billiken Parade along at 39th Street and King Drive in Chicago on Aug. 8, 1970.
Each year, two youngsters get to be the parade’s king and queen, seen here at the Bud Billiken Parade along at 39th Street and King Drive in Chicago on Aug. 8, 1970.
The Bud Billiken parade in 1976. (Tribune archive photo by George Quinn)
The Bud Billiken parade in 1976. (Tribune archive photo by George Quinn)
Ald. Charlie Chew and boxer Muhammad Ali ride in the Bud Billiken Parade on Aug. 9, 1975.
Ald. Charlie Chew and boxer Muhammad Ali ride in the Bud Billiken Parade on Aug. 9, 1975.
The 41st annual Bud Billiken Parade at 39th and King Drive in Chicago in August 1970.
The 41st annual Bud Billiken Parade at 39th and King Drive in Chicago in August 1970.
The crowd watches the Bud Billiken Parade on Aug. 8, 1981.
The crowd watches the Bud Billiken Parade on Aug. 8, 1981.
Famous boxer Joe Louis waves to the crowds on the South Side on Aug. 14, 1954, as he sits atop a float heading the Bud Billiken Parade. With the ex-champion are Booker Trotter, 9, left, and Joe Jr., 7. (baiduhai historical photo) published August 15, 1954
Famous boxer Joe Louis waves to the crowds on the South Side on Aug. 14, 1954, as he sits atop a float heading the Bud Billiken Parade. With the ex-champion are Booker Trotter, 9, left, and Joe Jr., 7. (baiduhai historical photo) published August 15, 1954
Paraders march in the Bud Billiken Parade on Aug. 14, 1982.
Paraders march in the Bud Billiken Parade on Aug. 14, 1982.