Long before plastic eggs, marshmallow peeps and bunnies at the mall, Easter was about bonnets, pretty dresses and celebrating one of the most important dates on the Christian calendar. To go back in time, we assembled this collection of vintage photos that harken back to a simpler, much less commercial holiday.
What was Easter like when you were a kid? How do you mark Easter today? Let us know in comments.
1
Easter Candy
Getty Images
Girl enjoys a huge chocolate Easter egg in 1930.
2
Easter Shopping
Getty Images
Easter shopping in London in 1936.
3
Easter Egg Rolls
AP
Eleanor Roosevelt greets children at the White House Easter Egg Roll in 1936. This year, more than 35,000 people are expected to gather for the annual event on the South Lawn.
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4
Easter Services
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Two women leaving church in Harlem on Easter Sunday in 1943, wearing their Sunday best.
5
Celebrities And Easter
Flickr
American actress Susan Hayward celebrating Easter.
6
Another Celebrity and Easter
Flickr
Apparently a lot of celebrities -- including Doris Day -- have loved Easter.
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7
Babies And Easter
Getty Images
Baby and baby chick, in the 1950s.
8
Easter Trees
Mark Jay Goebel/Getty Images
Easter trees were definitely a thing -- especially in the 1950s.
9
Easter Breakfast
Photo by Evans/Three Lions/Getty Images
The traditional exchange of chocolate eggs at Easter breakfast in 1955.
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10
Easter Parade
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Crowds pack Fifth Avenue in New York City in 1956 to watch the Easter Parade.
11
Easter Bonnets
Flickr
Children with their bonnets and candy.
12
Nice Easter Bunnies
Flickr
Stars of the "Our Gang" series dressed up for Easter.
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13
Sexy Easter Bunny
Flickr
A bunny pinup.
14
Elaborate Adult Easter Bonnets
Getty Images
Women decked out in their Easter bonnets, in 1971.
15
An Even More Elaborate Easter Bonnet
Getty Images
Woman posing with her Easter bonnet.
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Before You Go
