It is November, and in a couple of weeks on the 28th we will celebrate Thanksgiving. Over the centuries the holiday has evolved to become a symbol of togetherness, generosity, and reflection. It is a time when we come together with families and friends to show thanks for the blessings we have received throughout the year.
The origins of Thanksgiving can be traced back to 1621 when the Pilgrims, who had settled in Plymouth, Massachusetts, held a feast to celebrate their first successful harvest. After a difficult winter, during which nearly half of their colony perished, the Pilgrims were able to grow enough crops to sustain themselves with the help of the Wampanoag tribe. To show their appreciation, the Pilgrims invited the Wampanoag people to join them in a three-day feast. This gathering is often romanticized, but it represented a rare moment of cooperation and peace between the two groups.
President George Washington designated November 26 as a day of Thanksgiving in 1789, but it did not become an official holiday until 1863, when, during the Civil War President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed it a national holiday. Lincoln had hoped that this day would provide healing for a nation deeply divided by war. And, in 1941 President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a resolution officially declaring the fourth Thursday of November as Thanksgiving Day, solidifying the tradition as a federal holiday.
Today, Thanksgiving is celebrated with a number of traditions that have become part of American culture. Of course, the most iconic of these is the Thanksgiving feast, which typically includes turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, pumpkin and apple pies. Other foods may be part of each family’s traditions. Families typically gather together around the table, and before the meal begins, they often go around to share what each person is thankful for. Regardless of any challenges we may be currently facing, this practice seems to encourage reflection and reminds us to appreciate the good things in our lives.
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City on Thanksgiving morning is a nostalgic tradition I equate with Turkey Day. On a personal note, instead of braving the cold across the river from Jersey City, my family clustered around the TV as we were transfixed by the elaborate floats, giant balloons, and performances by marching bands and celebrities. Afternoon was a time to feel the human energy, to enjoy discussions, to hang around the kitchen to enjoy the smell of cooking, participate in the food preparation, and to relax before the big dinner. After dinner when we all were stuffed to the gills, my family played a group game, had a sing-fest or chilled out to follow some of the televised professional football games.
Let’s not forget that many of us view Thanksgiving Day as a special time to volunteer in soup kitchens and food banks that provide meals to the needy. I have always believed that “giving back” is a two-way street that benefits others and ourselves.
On the commercial side, Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the holiday shopping season, with Black Friday following closely on its heels, as stores and online sites offer significant discounts.
In a spirit of appreciation and goodwill, whether you are sharing a meal with loved ones, watching a parade, volunteering, or whatever you are doing on November 28, Happy Thanksgiving!
EDITOR’S THOUGHT OF THE DAY
