Figure 1.--Here we see an English street party, we would say some time in the 1940s-50s. Street parties were held for some kind national celebration. This could be a celebration for the end of World War II (1945) or perhaps Queen Elizabeth's coronation (1953). But we would have expected to see a Union Jack or two.

We do not know much about English children's parties. We know virtually nothing about the 19th century. Thanks to the Kodak Broiwnie and similar cameras, we have some ingormation about the 20th century. As with other activities, the snap shot conveys vast amounts of information about family life and society. And this includes children's parties. Younger children might have small tea parties at home with siblings and perhps neighbors. We suspect this was a carry over from the 19th century. We also see birthday parties, surely the most important type of children's parties. We do not know how birthdays were celebrted in the 19th century. We do begin to see celebrtions in the 20th century. Many of the tradotions are the same as in America which we do not fully understand as the break with Britain occurred in the 18th century. And from the very first 20th century birthday snapshots we see party hats and birthday cakes with candels. The events were baically small parties with family and some friends in the hoime and back garden. We do not see the modern extravaganzas until the late-20th century. There were also holiday celebrations, but we are not sure just how they were celebrated. These may have been more school or church parties than family parties. Hopefully our English readers can offer some insights here. Catholic families would have had First Communion parties. Jewish children has Bar and Bat Mitzvah parties. A distunctively English party is the street party and the children are generally the center of attention at these parties. They seem to have first appeared to celebrate the end of World War I and have since become an important tradition in England and Wales. Less so in Scotland for some reason.

Snap Shots

We do not know much about English children's parties. We know virtually nothing about the 19th century. Thanks to the Kodak Broiwnie and similar cameras, we have some ingormation about the 20th century. As with other activities, the snap shot conveys vast amounts of information about family life and society. And this includes children's parties.

Type of Parties

Younger children might have small tea parties at home with siblings and perhps neighbors. We suspect this was a carry over from the 19th century. We also see birthday parties, surely the most important type of children's parties. We do not know how birthdays were celebrted in the 19th century. We do begin to see celebrtions in the 20th century. Many of the tradotions are the same as in America which we do not fully understand as the break with Britain occurred in the 18th century. And from the very first 20th century birthday snapshots we see party hats and birthday cakes with candels. The events were baically small parties with family and some friends in the hoime and back garden. We do not see the modern extravaganzas until the late-20th century. There were also holiday celebrations, but we are not sure just how they were celebrated. These may have been more school or church parties than family parties. Hopefully our English readers can offer some insights here. Catholic families would have had First Communion parties. Jewish children has Bar and Bat Mitzvah parties. A distunctively English party is the street party and the children are generally the center of attention at these parties. They seem to have first appeared to celebrate the end of World War I and have since become an important tradition in England and Wales. Less so in Scotland for some reason.

Created: 12:50 AM 10/1/2018
Last updated: 12:50 AM 10/1/2018