Get out your knives, forks, and elastic pants because Thanksgiving is right around the corner. As loved ones gather around the dinner table, it is important to remember that Thanksgiving is a day dedicated to gratitude and prayer.
How did Thanksgiving come to be?
In 1620, The Mayflower left England with passengers who were expecting a better life in the New World. After a long and hard travel, they landed in Massachusetts Bay. The Pilgrims were not prepared for the harsh winter; only half of them survived. Squanto, a Native American from the Pawtuxet tribe, was introduced to the Pilgrims. The History Channel website states that he taught them how to "cultivate corn, extract sap from maple trees, catch fish in the rivers and avoid poisonous plants." Squanto also aided the Pilgrims in forming an alliance with the Wampanoag, a local Indian tribe. The Pilgrims put their newly learned skills to the test, and in 1621 they reaped the first successful harvest of corn. Governor William Bradford invited the Wampanoag tribe and their chief, Massasoit, for a three-day celebratory feast. The Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources page explains that the celebration included an abundance of food, along with athletic and military activities. Thanksgiving revolves around this image of the Pilgrims and Indians sharing a nice meal together to give thanks.
When did Thanksgiving become a national holiday?
Throughout history, the date of Thanksgiving remained inconsistent. The National Archives declares that Thanksgiving was first celebrated on November 26, 1789, when George Washington declared it a day of thanksgiving and prayer. Magazine editor, Sarah Josepha Hale, started a campaign to make Thanksgiving an official holiday.; she wrote articles and sent letters to political figures. Abraham Lincoln answered her request in 1863 and made the last Thursday in November Thanksgiving. The Library of Congress points out that the date was changed in 1939, when Franklin D. Roosevelt made Thanksgiving the fourth Thursday in November.
What are some traditions?
Thanksgiving has become associated with food, football, family, volunteering, shopping, and parades. The Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade has become a staple of the holiday. Starting in 1924, New York streets are filled with bands and gigantic floats. The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade official website offers information about where to watch, the line-up, special guests, and much more.
Food plays a central role in the celebration of Thanksgiving. To make sure your "gobble day" is a success, the FoodSafety website provides "steps to follow before cooking a turkey, steps to follow when cooking a turkey, and steps to follow when consuming leftover Thanksgiving food."
What are your favorite Thanksgiving traditions?
-by Emily Hancz
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