Today marks the 393rd celebration of Thanksgiving here in the USA. It all began with the Pilgrims, or the English colonists, celebrating their first successful harvest. The Wampanoag tribe traveled two days on foot to visit with the Pilgrims, who invited the tribe to feast with them.
On December 18, 1777, George Washington issued orders to set aside this date as a day for Thanksgiving and praise. This was due to recent victories in fighting the American Revolution.
In 1846, Sarah Hale begins a letter writing campaign that lasts 17 years asking that the government set aside the last Thursday of November as a national holiday, dubbing that day Thanksgiving. On August 26th, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln, receiving a letter from Sarah Hale, declares the last Thursdays of November as Thanksgiving Day!
Then on November 23rd, 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt moves the day to the next to last Thursday to help retailers boost sales for the upcoming Christmas holiday. It throws the country into a tizzy! Realizing that this was not a good move, he then signs legislation on November 26th, 1941, officially making the fourth Thursday of November the official day to celebrate Thanksgiving!
So to all of you that celebrate this day:
Thank you for stopping by! Enjoy your day!
Thanks for the interesting history!
🙂 You are welcome! Thank you for your comment Marcybee!
Barb, I feel a little disconnected from you today. We don’t celebrate Thanksgiving on this side of the pond. Have a great one.
Thanks Conor! I created something new for dinner this evening. Roasted brussel sprouts, washed cut in half. Pancetta, and bit of chopped garlic, with EVOO. Ready to start roasting soon. Thinking of serving this topped with parmesan…Knowing that you do not celebrate our holiday, I wish you the best and thank you for being my friend! Be well – B ^..^
Thank you Barb.
🙂 The Brussels were really good!
Cute video of what Ben Franklin wanted to be our National Bird. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours as well.
Thank you PJ!
Happy Thanksgiving!
🙂
But why Thursday??? Come to Canada where our Thanksgiving is not only at a time of year that is generally warmer (meaning no winter storms to interrupt travel to see family), but is also always on a Monday so we always get a long weekend!!
But Happy “Thanksgiving” (American) to you!
No idea why Sarah Hale asked for that day. Seems that harvest would be long over by then, considering the amount of snow on the east coast right now. We get a four day weekend in this country. Thursday through Sunday, and most employers let you go the Wednesday before a short bit after a half day. Thank you!
Happy Thanksgiving Barb, and I hope your day is filled with friends and family and so much good food that you have yummy left-overs for days and don’t have to cook. 😀
Back at you V! Cooking today but making it easy on myself. I got turkey parts instead of a whole bird…there are just 2 of us…I hope that you find yourself surrounded by those you love and care about, and that you enjoy the day! Hugs! ^..^