Thanksgiving Day History in America
Most Americans are familiar with the Pilgrim's Thanksgiving Day Feast of 1621, but few realize that it was not the first festival of its kind in North America.
Long before any Europeans set foot in the Americas, native peoples sought to insure a good harvest with dances and rituals of Thanksgiving.
History tells us the first Thanksgiving service known to be held by Europeans in North America occurred on May 27, 1578 in Newfoundland.
The Pilgrims were religious dissidents who fled oppression in England.
Jamestown colonists gave thanks for their safe arrival, and another service was held in 1610 when a supply ship arrived after a harsh winter.
Then, in 1621 Pilgrims at Plymouth Plantation Massachusetts held a Thanksgiving to give thanks to God for helping them to survive the brutal winter.
This feast lasted three days and provided enough food for 53 Pilgrims and 90 Native Americans.
In 1623, the Pilgrims at Plymouth Plantation then held another day of Thanksgiving.
As a drought was destroying their crops, colonists prayed and fasted for relief and the rains came a few days later.
Shortly after, Captain Miles Standish arrived with staples and welcomed news that a Dutch supply ship was on its way.
Because of all this good fortune, colonists held a day of Thanksgiving and prayer on June 30.
This 1623 festival proves to have been the origin of our Thanksgiving Day, because it combined both a religious and social celebration of thanks.
During the American Revolutionary War the Continental Congress appointed one or more Thanksgiving days each year, each time recommending to the executives of the various states the observance of these days in their states.
The First National Proclamation of Thanksgiving was given by the Continental Congress in the year of 1777.
Some credit for the establishment of an annual Thanksgiving holiday should be given to Sarah Josepha Hale.
She was the editor of Ladies Magazine and Godey's Lady's Book.
She began to solicit for such a day in 1827 by printing articles in her magazines.
She also wrote scores of letters to governors, senators, and presidents.
Finally, after 36 years of crusading she won her battle.
On October 3, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed that November 26th, would be a national Thanksgiving Day, and to be observed every year on the fourth Thursday of November.
He also did it partially to help soothe the national mood, which was weary of the Civil War.
In 1865, President Andrew Johnson, declared a Thanksgiving for December 7, 1865.
Andrew Johnson was also the first President to give government employees the day off, making it a legal holiday.
Franklin D.
Roosevelt, in order to give depression-era merchants more selling days before Christmas, assigned the third Thursday to be Thanksgiving Day in 1939 and 1940.
But he was met with popular resistance, largely because the change required rescheduling Thanksgiving Day events such as football games and parades.
In 1941, a Congressional Joint Resolution officially set the fourth Thursday of November as a national holiday for Thanksgiving.
On December 26, 1941, President Roosevelt signed this bill making the date of Thanksgiving a matter of federal law.
History shows us that we have both Native Americans as well as European immigrants to credit for the opportunity to observe a day of Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving is truly a time when our families and friends come together to thank God and Country for all of that we have.
Many churches also open their doors for special services.
On this Thanksgiving Day I hope that all will celebrate with prayer and patriotism, portraying the gratefulness that was originally displayed by the Pilgrims and Native Americans in 1623.
Long before any Europeans set foot in the Americas, native peoples sought to insure a good harvest with dances and rituals of Thanksgiving.
History tells us the first Thanksgiving service known to be held by Europeans in North America occurred on May 27, 1578 in Newfoundland.
The Pilgrims were religious dissidents who fled oppression in England.
Jamestown colonists gave thanks for their safe arrival, and another service was held in 1610 when a supply ship arrived after a harsh winter.
Then, in 1621 Pilgrims at Plymouth Plantation Massachusetts held a Thanksgiving to give thanks to God for helping them to survive the brutal winter.
This feast lasted three days and provided enough food for 53 Pilgrims and 90 Native Americans.
In 1623, the Pilgrims at Plymouth Plantation then held another day of Thanksgiving.
As a drought was destroying their crops, colonists prayed and fasted for relief and the rains came a few days later.
Shortly after, Captain Miles Standish arrived with staples and welcomed news that a Dutch supply ship was on its way.
Because of all this good fortune, colonists held a day of Thanksgiving and prayer on June 30.
This 1623 festival proves to have been the origin of our Thanksgiving Day, because it combined both a religious and social celebration of thanks.
During the American Revolutionary War the Continental Congress appointed one or more Thanksgiving days each year, each time recommending to the executives of the various states the observance of these days in their states.
The First National Proclamation of Thanksgiving was given by the Continental Congress in the year of 1777.
Some credit for the establishment of an annual Thanksgiving holiday should be given to Sarah Josepha Hale.
She was the editor of Ladies Magazine and Godey's Lady's Book.
She began to solicit for such a day in 1827 by printing articles in her magazines.
She also wrote scores of letters to governors, senators, and presidents.
Finally, after 36 years of crusading she won her battle.
On October 3, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed that November 26th, would be a national Thanksgiving Day, and to be observed every year on the fourth Thursday of November.
He also did it partially to help soothe the national mood, which was weary of the Civil War.
In 1865, President Andrew Johnson, declared a Thanksgiving for December 7, 1865.
Andrew Johnson was also the first President to give government employees the day off, making it a legal holiday.
Franklin D.
Roosevelt, in order to give depression-era merchants more selling days before Christmas, assigned the third Thursday to be Thanksgiving Day in 1939 and 1940.
But he was met with popular resistance, largely because the change required rescheduling Thanksgiving Day events such as football games and parades.
In 1941, a Congressional Joint Resolution officially set the fourth Thursday of November as a national holiday for Thanksgiving.
On December 26, 1941, President Roosevelt signed this bill making the date of Thanksgiving a matter of federal law.
History shows us that we have both Native Americans as well as European immigrants to credit for the opportunity to observe a day of Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving is truly a time when our families and friends come together to thank God and Country for all of that we have.
Many churches also open their doors for special services.
On this Thanksgiving Day I hope that all will celebrate with prayer and patriotism, portraying the gratefulness that was originally displayed by the Pilgrims and Native Americans in 1623.
