Why We're Celebrating
- The U.S. women's soccer team won the World Cup this past weekend, defeating Japan 5-2.
- It's the team's third World Cup win.
- On Friday, the team got a rare ticker-tape parade through lower Manhattan's "Canyon of Heroes," from its southernmost point at the Battery to City Hall.
- The parades are historically reserved for victorious sports teams, heads of state, and national milestones – like the one in 1969 when the Apollo 11 astronauts returned from the moon. It's named after the days when brokers would toss stock ticker paper onto the crowd from their high buildings.
- The Women's Team has been on a victory lap this week. They were in a rally on Tuesday in Los Angeles and they've been invited to the White House.
- This is the first time in New York City history that a woman's-only sports team has been celebrated with a ticker-tape parade.
Updates
The mayor and first lady gave each player a key to the City of New York.
"Good Morning America" anchor Robin Roberts came out to introduce the players of the team and to emcee the ceremony.
Mayor de Blasio opened the ceremony asking the crowd "Are you ready to party?" Then went on to applaud the women's soccer team for being the first women's sports team to get a parade down the "Canyon of Heroes."
NYC Mayor: "When they brought home that trophy, they also brought home a message...the power of women, and the strength of women" #USWNT
Today’s historic ticker tape parade is the first to honor a women’s sports team. #USWNTParade
The parade wrapped up at City Hall where there's going to be a ceremony at 1 p.m. A complete video of the parade can be seen on the NYC Mayor's Office's YouTube channel.
Gloria Steinem has a front row seat at City Hall to cheer on the team.
Gloria Steinem is sitting front row at City Hall for the USWNT ceremony.
#USA 🇺🇸🏆⚽️
Aerial view of the "Canyon of Heroes."
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and his wife Chirlane McCray rode one of the floats, here's a picture of them earlier this morning with Hope Solo.
Honored to meet Mayor @DeBlasioNYC and First Lady @Chirlane this morning!
The mayor posted this vine of his "extraordinary view."
The NYPD marching band kicked things off playing songs including "God Bless America" and "Yankee Doodle Dandy" to crowds cheering "USA, USA, USA."
Parade for women's World Cup winning team starts on Broadway's canyon of heroes with nypd band
NYPD band--lovin' it. #nyc #usa
The FDNY color guard leads the way for the ticker-tape parade.
The color guard leads the way in the #USWNTParade. Watch #NYC as @ussoccer_wnt & #FDNY will #WinItAll here too!
Parade will be kicking off at 11 a.m., here's a map of the route:
Oh hey big 🍎! You ready? 'Cause we are! #USWNTParade #BestFansInTheWorld
Yum! Three-tier soccer-themed cake awaits the team at City Hall.
This is happening at City Hall. Thanks @JoeEspoNYC! #USWNT #USWNTparade
The team is on the way:
See you soon NYC! #BestFansInTheWorld #USWNTparade
If you're in NYC for the #USWNTparade, keep an eye out for this float. #hint #hint
The floats in lower Manhattan are ready to go. The parade is scheduled to start at 11 a.m. and will travel up the "Canyon of Heroes" along Broadway from the Battery to City Hall.
The floats are ready and waiting for you, @ussoccer_wnt! #USWNT https://t.co/jRJrGmjL38