Jeremy Bernstein
Staff Writer '20
Everyone remembers the first Thanksgiving, when the Native Americans and pilgrims hosted a feast to give thanks. Thanksgiving’s rich history began with a three-day feast in 1621. At the feast, the pilgrims and the Native Americans celebrated the first successful harvest of the pilgrims. The original items on the menu were venison, maize, fowl, barley and cranberries. Other items such as pumpkin pie, cranberry sauce, potatoes and turkey were introduced later in 1827.
Thanksgiving began a religious holiday for the pilgrims. With the progression of time, colonies declared holidays for success in wars or for rain for a plentiful harvest. However, despite the widespread celebration, Thanksgiving was yet to be an established holiday. Then in 1789, Washington declared November 26th Thanksgiving day to celebrate victory in the American revolution.
In 1827, an American writer Sara Josepha Hale campaigned and wrote letters to the White House for thirty years, urging the government to establish Thanksgiving as a national holiday. In 1857, her efforts were recognized by President Lincoln, who realized the potential the holiday had for unifying the nation. Therefore, four months after the victory of Gettysburg in 1863, Lincoln declared Thanksgiving to be the last Thursday of every November.
In the twentieth century Thanksgiving was no longer simply a day for unity, thanks or holiday. Large stores saw an opportunity to make money during the holiday, and “Black Friday” was developed. In 1939, FDR moved Thanksgiving back one week to extend the shopping season to help economically depressed stores. Many people opposed this decision, which inspired FDR to reschedule Thanksgiving to the fourth Thursday of November.
Most recently, the tradition of pardoning a turkey to retirement on the farm rather than to the dinner table began with George H.W. Bush. This tradition has continued under Obama and will continue the future presidents.
With the years come new traditions and the history of Thanksgiving grows. It’s important to recount the evolution of such a holiday that can unite the people, develop the economy and now save a turkey.
Staff Writer '20
Everyone remembers the first Thanksgiving, when the Native Americans and pilgrims hosted a feast to give thanks. Thanksgiving’s rich history began with a three-day feast in 1621. At the feast, the pilgrims and the Native Americans celebrated the first successful harvest of the pilgrims. The original items on the menu were venison, maize, fowl, barley and cranberries. Other items such as pumpkin pie, cranberry sauce, potatoes and turkey were introduced later in 1827.
Thanksgiving began a religious holiday for the pilgrims. With the progression of time, colonies declared holidays for success in wars or for rain for a plentiful harvest. However, despite the widespread celebration, Thanksgiving was yet to be an established holiday. Then in 1789, Washington declared November 26th Thanksgiving day to celebrate victory in the American revolution.
In 1827, an American writer Sara Josepha Hale campaigned and wrote letters to the White House for thirty years, urging the government to establish Thanksgiving as a national holiday. In 1857, her efforts were recognized by President Lincoln, who realized the potential the holiday had for unifying the nation. Therefore, four months after the victory of Gettysburg in 1863, Lincoln declared Thanksgiving to be the last Thursday of every November.
In the twentieth century Thanksgiving was no longer simply a day for unity, thanks or holiday. Large stores saw an opportunity to make money during the holiday, and “Black Friday” was developed. In 1939, FDR moved Thanksgiving back one week to extend the shopping season to help economically depressed stores. Many people opposed this decision, which inspired FDR to reschedule Thanksgiving to the fourth Thursday of November.
Most recently, the tradition of pardoning a turkey to retirement on the farm rather than to the dinner table began with George H.W. Bush. This tradition has continued under Obama and will continue the future presidents.
With the years come new traditions and the history of Thanksgiving grows. It’s important to recount the evolution of such a holiday that can unite the people, develop the economy and now save a turkey.