It was 70 years today, 25 swing bands began to play

According to Yehoodi, the following was written in NY Times 70 years ago:

NY TIMES

SWING BANDS PUT 23,400 IN FRENZY; Jitterbugs Cavort at Randalls Island as 25 Orchestras Blare in Carnival Trek Begins at 8 A. M. Excitement Only Starts

May 30, 1938, Monday

For a full five hours and forty-five minutes, 23,400 assorted jitterbugs and alligators-more conservatively known as swing music enthusiasts - cavorted yesterday at Randalls Island Stadium to the musical gymnastics of twenty-five swing bands, vainly bucking the lines of police and park officers who were sworn to protect the swing maestros from destruction by adulation.

Take a look at this video clip from Randall's Island with all the people in the audience. It seems like a great great party! 25 swing bands!

The editorial continues:

"They were of all races, all colors, all walks - or rather all swings and all shags - of life."

[New York Times 5-31-1938: 18 (according to The Rise of a Jazz Art World, page 124)]

Don't you wish you had been there swingin' and dancing? Please comment.