History of the Holidays: History of Thanksgiving | History

Summary

The story of Thanksgiving traces its roots back to 1621, when the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag tribe shared a feast after a successful harvest. This event, though not featuring turkey, marked the first Thanksgiving. Over time, Thanksgiving became a religious observance of fasting and prayer for the New England colonists. In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln declared the last Thursday of November as Thanksgiving Day. By the 20th century, the holiday evolved into a family-centered celebration, with parades and football games adding to the festivities. Thanksgiving remains a day to reflect on gratitude and reconnect with loved ones.

Takeaways

• 😀 The 1621 feast at Plymouth, Massachusetts, involved the Pilgrims and Native Americans (Wampanoag) celebrating a successful harvest with foods like roast goose, corn, codfish, and lobster.
• 😀 The modern-day Thanksgiving celebration does not directly stem from the 1621 feast, but is more closely tied to religious observances and giving thanks for bountiful harvests or blessings.
• 😀 The Continental Congress declared a national day of Thanksgiving in 1777 to celebrate the victory at the Battle of Saratoga.
• 😀 Sarah Josepha Hale, a determined magazine editor, campaigned for a national Thanksgiving day in the 19th century to help unify a divided nation.
• 😀 President Abraham Lincoln declared the last Thursday of November as Thanksgiving Day in 1863 after Hale's campaign, during the Civil War.
• 😀 Thanksgiving became a national holiday in 1863, providing a day for families to gather, reflect, and give thanks for their blessings.
• 😀 In the 1920s, Thanksgiving evolved with the addition of sports events like NFL games, particularly with the Detroit Lions playing on Thanksgiving Day.
• 😀 Parades, including the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, became an integral part of the holiday in the early 20th century, further popularizing Thanksgiving as a cultural tradition.
• 😀 Thanksgiving has always been about family and connection, offering a break from the fast-paced modern life to spend time with loved ones.
• 😀 The Thanksgiving holiday today symbolizes gratitude, unity, and reflection on what we have, with modern traditions like turkey feasts, parades, and football games.

Q & A

What was the relationship between the Plymouth colonists and the neighboring Wampanoag tribe in 1621?

The Plymouth colonists formed a relationship with the Wampanoag tribe, who taught them about fishing, planting, and hunting, which helped the colonists survive and gather enough food for the winter of 1621.

What is commonly thought of as the first Thanksgiving?

The 1621 harvest meal shared between the Plymouth colonists and the Wampanoag tribe is commonly thought of as the first Thanksgiving.

What foods were likely served at the 1621 feast?

The feast likely included roast goose, corn, codfish, and lobster, rather than the turkey commonly associated with modern Thanksgiving.

How did later generations of New England colonists celebrate Thanksgiving?

Later generations of New England colonists celebrated Thanksgiving as a religious holiday focused on fasting, prayer, and giving thanks to God, rather than a harvest festival.

When did the Continental Congress decree a national day of Thanksgiving, and what event was it celebrating?

In 1777, the Continental Congress declared a national day of Thanksgiving to celebrate the American colonies' victory over the British at the Battle of Saratoga.

What role did Sarah Josepha Hale play in establishing Thanksgiving as a national holiday?

Sarah Josepha Hale campaigned passionately through letters to politicians to establish an annual national day of Thanksgiving, believing it would help unite the nation as it headed toward Civil War.

Who finally declared Thanksgiving a national holiday, and when did this occur?

President Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1863, four months after the Union's victory at the Battle of Gettysburg.

How did Thanksgiving become associated with football?

In the 1920s, the NFL was formed, and the Detroit Lions organized the first Thanksgiving Day game to boost attendance, leading to the tradition of football on Thanksgiving.

What is the significance of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade?

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, which began in 1924, became a key tradition and a kickoff to the Christmas shopping season, drawing millions of spectators every year.

What is the central theme of Thanksgiving in modern times?

In modern times, Thanksgiving is centered around family, providing a day to reconnect with loved ones, take a collective breath, and reflect on what there is to be thankful for.