What's the meaning: Thanksgiving History by two Norwegian Girls
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Once again, it is time for turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberries, and pumpkin pie to be shared with friends and family. The history of Thanksgiving is a little more complicated than other American Holidays.
Americans typically think of the first Thanksgiving in 1621 with the Pilgrims and the Powhatan Indians. This was a three day celebration to thank the Powhatan Indians for helping the Pilgrims to survive. However, it wasn’t until 1789 when George Washington proclaimed November 26, as a national day of Thanksgiving. Even then it failed to become a yearly tradition.
Seventy four years later, Sarah Joseph Hale, the author of “Mary Had a Little Lamb”, lobbied President Lincoln to declare that the last Thursday in November to be Thanksgiving, a day of prayer and thanks. In 1863, the president ordered the government departments to close for the holiday. Thanksgiving finally stuck and it has been celebrated in November ever since.
In 1939, there were 5 Thursdays in November so Thanksgiving would fall on the last day of November. The retailers were concerned that this late date would affect their Christmas sales and convinced President Franklin D. Roosevelt that an extra week would boost their sales.
So in FDR’s Thanksgiving proclamation, he changed the date to the second to the last Thursday in November. Many Americans were upset about the change and much confusion followed. School vacations and tests had to be changed, football games had to be rescheduled as they had already established the tradition of being played on Thanksgiving, and calendars were wrong.
States were equally split on honoring the new Thanksgiving date. Half had Thanksgiving on the new date and half celebrated on the traditional day. Texas and Colorado celebrated on both days.
This change of date was splitting the country as the following year, thirty one states followed Franklin’s change and seventeen kept the traditional date. On December 26, 1941, Congress passed a law that Thanksgiving would be held on the fourth Thursday of November.
As we approach Thanksgiving and the Holiday season, it is time to reflect on our blessings and give thanks. These two Norwegian Girls (aka old birds) are thankful for our families, friends, and freedom. May your turkey be tasty, your potatoes not lumpy, and your company not grumpy. Happy Thanksgiving!
