THE ORIGIN OF AMERICA'S ANNUAL THANKSGIVING DAY.........
In the year 1620, the Pilgrims, being unprepared for the starvation
and sickness of a harsh New England Winter, suffered greatly and
nearly half died before Spring. Persevering, and assisted by helpful
Indians, they reaped a bountiful harvest, the following Summer. The
grateful Pilgrims then declared a three-day feast, starting on
December 13, 1621, to celebrate with their Indian friends. While this
was not the first Thanksgiving in America (Thanksgiving services were
held in Virginia as early as 1607) It was America's first Thanksgiving
festival.
In 1789, following a proclamation by President George Washington,
America celebrated it's first day of Thanksgiving to God, under its
new constitution. That same year, the Protestant Episcopal Church, of
which President Washington was a member, announced that the first
Thursday in November would become its regular day for giving thanks,
"unless another day be appointed by the civil authorities". Yet,
despite these early national proclamations, official Thanksgiving
observances usually occurred only at the State level.
Much of the credit for the adoption of a later ANNUAL national
Thanksgiving Day, may be attributed to Mrs. Sarah Joseph Hale, the
editor of "Godey's Lady Book". For thirty years, she promoted the idea
of a national Thanksgiving day, contacting President after President
until President Abraham Lincoln responded in 1863, by setting aside
the last Thursday of November, as a national Day of Thanksgiving. Over
the next seventy-five years, Presidents followed Lincoln's precedent,
annually declaring a national Thanksgiving Day. Then in 1941, Congress
permanently established the fourth Thursday of each November as a
national holiday.
If you already knew this.......CONGRATULATIONS. Have a wonderful and
safe Thanksgiving Holiday.
For all your Real Estate and Insurance needs and helpful hints,
contact, LEGACY REALTY GROUP, Edison, NJ. 732.744.0400
In the year 1620, the Pilgrims, being unprepared for the starvation
and sickness of a harsh New England Winter, suffered greatly and
nearly half died before Spring. Persevering, and assisted by helpful
Indians, they reaped a bountiful harvest, the following Summer. The
grateful Pilgrims then declared a three-day feast, starting on
December 13, 1621, to celebrate with their Indian friends. While this
was not the first Thanksgiving in America (Thanksgiving services were
held in Virginia as early as 1607) It was America's first Thanksgiving
festival.
In 1789, following a proclamation by President George Washington,
America celebrated it's first day of Thanksgiving to God, under its
new constitution. That same year, the Protestant Episcopal Church, of
which President Washington was a member, announced that the first
Thursday in November would become its regular day for giving thanks,
"unless another day be appointed by the civil authorities". Yet,
despite these early national proclamations, official Thanksgiving
observances usually occurred only at the State level.
Much of the credit for the adoption of a later ANNUAL national
Thanksgiving Day, may be attributed to Mrs. Sarah Joseph Hale, the
editor of "Godey's Lady Book". For thirty years, she promoted the idea
of a national Thanksgiving day, contacting President after President
until President Abraham Lincoln responded in 1863, by setting aside
the last Thursday of November, as a national Day of Thanksgiving. Over
the next seventy-five years, Presidents followed Lincoln's precedent,
annually declaring a national Thanksgiving Day. Then in 1941, Congress
permanently established the fourth Thursday of each November as a
national holiday.
If you already knew this.......CONGRATULATIONS. Have a wonderful and
safe Thanksgiving Holiday.
For all your Real Estate and Insurance needs and helpful hints,
contact, LEGACY REALTY GROUP, Edison, NJ. 732.744.0400
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