Sangamon Sun

Thanksgiving Day, a national holiday in the U.S., has a long and rich history that dates back to 1621. This year, Thanksgiving is celebrated on Thursday, November 23.

The origins of Thanksgiving can be traced back to the autumn of 1621 when the Plymouth colonists from England, known as Pilgrims, and the Native American Wampanoag people came together for an autumn harvest feast. This feast is acknowledged as one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations in the colonies.

In the early years, days of thanksgiving were celebrated by individual colonies and states. It wasn't until 1863, in the midst of the Civil War, that President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day to be held each November.

However, the holiday is not without controversy. Many Americans, including people of Native American ancestry, believe that Thanksgiving celebrations mask the true history of oppression and bloodshed that underlies the relationship between European settlers and Native Americans.

The first Thanksgiving celebration took place in Plymouth County, now part of Massachusetts, in 1621. The Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Indians gathered for a feast that included wild turkeys, duck, geese, fish, corn, green vegetables, and dried fruits. It was a celebration of the season's abundant harvest.

The Pilgrims arrived in Plymouth in 1620, but due to a lack of food, half of the colony perished during the harsh winter. In the spring of 1621, the colonists were taught how to grow crops by the Wampanoag Indians. They also learned how to cook corn, cranberries, and squash, as well as how to hunt and fish.

Thanksgiving has been celebrated nationally on and off since 1789, when President George Washington proclaimed a day of thanksgiving after a request by Congress. However, it was not observed by President Thomas Jefferson, and its celebration was intermittent until 1863.

During the Civil War, Sarah Josepha Hale, the editor of the popular magazine Godey's Lady's Book, campaigned for a national Thanksgiving Day to promote unity. She eventually gained the support of President Lincoln, who proclaimed a national day of Thanksgiving on October 3, 1863, to be celebrated on Thursday, November 26. This tradition was continued by every President thereafter.

In 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt designated the fourth Thursday in November as Thanksgiving Day, solidifying the date that is still observed today.

Today, Thanksgiving is celebrated as an annual tradition where American families come together. The traditional Thanksgiving meal consists of turkey, ham, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes and gravy, and pumpkin pie. Many gatherings also include additional dishes, and leftovers are enjoyed for days.

In addition to the feast, families celebrate Thanksgiving with outdoor activities in warmer climates. Many also gather around televisions to watch parades in the morning and professional football in the afternoon and evening.

Thanksgiving also marks the unofficial start of the Christmas shopping season, with the following day known as "Black Friday." While not an official national holiday, Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday see many businesses, schools, and state offices closed.

As Americans gather to celebrate Thanksgiving, it is important to reflect on the holiday's history, acknowledging both its origins and the ongoing conversations surrounding its meaning and representation.

For additional details, please follow this link: https://reprosenthal.com/2023/11/23/the-long-history-of-the-thanksgiving-holiday-in-the-u-s/