Most Americans, from the post-Civil War era to the present day, have celebrated Thanksgiving Day on the fourth Thursday of November. I, for one, thought "Thanksgiving" had been on the fourth Thursday ever since the Mayflower landed at Plymouth Rock. The "Pilgrims" had a terrible year in 1620, but had a successful harvest in 1621, thanks largely to the assistance given them by Native Americans. Actually, however, Thanksgiving Day, as we know it, originated in the midst of that terrible conflict known as the War Between The States, the American Civil War.
In October, 1863 President Lincoln, perhaps due to Sarah Josepha Hale's three decade campaign, issued a proclamation that proclaimed a day of Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November. Further, Mr. Lincoln called for this day to be observed annually. Actually, prior to the Lincoln proclamation, several states had declared their own "thanksgiving day," but the dates varied with each state. The President's proclamation served to standardize the celebration and give it national status.
Americans take their Fourth Thursday Thanksgiving very seriously, it seems. During the Great Depression, President Franklin Roosevelt took the extraordinary measure of ordering Thanksgiving Day moved back to the THIRD Thursday of November. President Roosevelt hoped to introduce more money into the US economy by creating a longer Christmas shopping season. Thanksgiving was observed on the third Thursday of November in 1940, but by 1941 public outrage with "Franksgiving Day" finally forced Mr. Roosevelt to rescind his order.
Many Americans still take some time during Thanksgiving Day to give thanks to the Lord for their blessings. Thanksgiving is celebrated in many nations around the world as well, but the original American Thanksgiving was unique among the celebrations. It was a celebration of blessings and of peace between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag tribe of Native Americans, who had helped the Pilgrims survive the previous winter and then plant a successful crop.
I am thankful for all the blessings I have received, and I am thankful that we have a day set aside specifically to remember everything with which we have been blessed.
In October, 1863 President Lincoln, perhaps due to Sarah Josepha Hale's three decade campaign, issued a proclamation that proclaimed a day of Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November. Further, Mr. Lincoln called for this day to be observed annually. Actually, prior to the Lincoln proclamation, several states had declared their own "thanksgiving day," but the dates varied with each state. The President's proclamation served to standardize the celebration and give it national status.
Americans take their Fourth Thursday Thanksgiving very seriously, it seems. During the Great Depression, President Franklin Roosevelt took the extraordinary measure of ordering Thanksgiving Day moved back to the THIRD Thursday of November. President Roosevelt hoped to introduce more money into the US economy by creating a longer Christmas shopping season. Thanksgiving was observed on the third Thursday of November in 1940, but by 1941 public outrage with "Franksgiving Day" finally forced Mr. Roosevelt to rescind his order.
Many Americans still take some time during Thanksgiving Day to give thanks to the Lord for their blessings. Thanksgiving is celebrated in many nations around the world as well, but the original American Thanksgiving was unique among the celebrations. It was a celebration of blessings and of peace between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag tribe of Native Americans, who had helped the Pilgrims survive the previous winter and then plant a successful crop.
I am thankful for all the blessings I have received, and I am thankful that we have a day set aside specifically to remember everything with which we have been blessed.
No comments:
Post a Comment