Thanksgiving became a national holiday in 1863. In that year, during the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln made his Thanksgiving Day Proclamation. He asked his fellow citizens "to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November as a day of thanksgiving and praise." It was not until 1941 that Congress finally designated the fourth Thursday in November as Thanksgiving Day, thus creating a federal holiday.
Thanksgiving Day, as we know it today, began in the early 1600's when settlers in both Massachusetts and Virginia came together to give thanks for their survival, for the fertility of their fields, and for their faith. The most widely known early Thanksgiving is that of the Pilgrims in Plymouth, Massachusetts, who feasted for 3 days with the Wampanoag people in 1621. Then, as now, the turkey has become the traditional Thanksgiving meal, though at one time turkey was a rare treat. It is said that astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin ate roast turkey in foil packets for their first meal on the Moon.
Today, though the turkey is a favorite meal, many have opted for other meats of choice. As for me and our family, I am consistent with my meal of turkey and dressing.
A few facts about this American holiday: It is the busiest travel holiday of the year in the United States. More Americans celebrate Thanksgiving than Christmas and it is considered the biggest holiday for family gatherings.
One of my favorite poems is entitled Thanksgiving Day, and I will include several of the verses.
Over the river and through the wood,
To grandfather's house we go;
The horse knows the way
To carry the sleigh
Through the white and drifted snow.
Over the river and through the wood,
To have a first-rate play
Hear the bells ring
"Ting-a-ling-ding!"
Hurrah for Thanksgiving Day
Over the river and through the wood,
Trot fast, my dapple-gray!
Spring over the ground
Like a hunting hound!
For this is Thanksgiving Day
Over the river and through the wood,
Now grandmother's cap I spy!
Hurray for the fun!
Is the pudding done?
Hurrah for the pumpkin pie!
~Lydia Maria Child~
As a child, watching mother prepare this meal was an everlasting memory. Her feet hit the floor early on Thanksgiving Day with the flurry of work to be done in the kitchen . Each year it seemed the turkey was larger than previous years, and it made for many scrumptious meals for days. As families gather, give thanks for our blessings and the hands that lovingly prepared this meal.
