While it’s commonly associated with a feast of turkey, pumpkin pie, and family gatherings, the roots of Thanksgiving stretch back centuries and involve both Native American and European traditions.
Early Celebrations of Thanksgiving
The concept of a “thanksgiving” or a day of giving thanks for good harvests is not unique to America; various cultures around the world have held similar celebrations for centuries. The idea is deeply connected to gratitude for a good harvest, survival, and blessings received.
The most well-known story of Thanksgiving in America dates back to 1621, when the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag people came together for a feast at Plymouth, in what is now Massachusetts. The Pilgrims, English settlers who had fled religious persecution, had faced a harsh winter, but with the help of the Wampanoag, they were able to grow crops like corn, beans, and squash. The two groups came together to celebrate the bounty of the harvest, which is often referred to as the First Thanksgiving. This gathering lasted for three days and included foods such as venison, fowl, corn, and shellfish, although turkey, as we know it today, was likely not on the menu.
Evolution of Thanksgiving
Though the First Thanksgiving is seen as a symbolic beginning, it wasn’t immediately recognized as a national holiday. Over the following centuries, various colonies and states celebrated their own days of thanksgiving at different times throughout the year, usually in response to successful harvests, military victories, or religious observances.
It wasn’t until the 19th century that Thanksgiving began to take shape as a more unified national holiday. A key figure in this movement was Sarah Josepha Hale, the editor of the popular magazine Godey’s Lady’s Book. Hale campaigned for years to establish a national day of thanksgiving, writing letters to presidents and Congress. Finally, in 1863, amid the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed Thanksgiving a national holiday, setting the date for the last Thursday in November. Lincoln hoped the holiday would help unify the nation during the turbulent years of the war, offering a moment for citizens to reflect on the blessings and unity they shared.
Thanksgiving Becomes an Official Holiday
After Lincoln’s proclamation, Thanksgiving was celebrated annually on the last Thursday of November. However, in 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt changed the date to the third Thursday in November to extend the shopping season and boost the economy during the Great Depression. This decision was controversial and was met with resistance from some states. Finally, in 1941, Congress passed a resolution officially setting Thanksgiving to the fourth Thursday of November, where it remains today.
Modern-Day Thanksgiving Traditions
Today, Thanksgiving is celebrated with various customs, many of which were influenced by early traditions but have evolved over time. The holiday has become a time for families to gather, reflect on what they are thankful for, and share a meal. In addition to the traditional turkey and pumpkin pie, many families have developed their own rituals, such as watching football, volunteering, or participating in local parades.
For many, Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the holiday season, which extends through Christmas and New Year’s. The day has also become a time for Black Friday shopping, as retailers offer deep discounts, making it one of the busiest shopping days of the year.
Thanksgiving and Its Complex Legacy
While Thanksgiving is celebrated as a time of unity, it’s important to acknowledge the complex history between Native Americans and European settlers. The early Pilgrim-Wampanoag feast, while a symbol of cooperation, came at the cost of displacement and hardship for Native Americans. Over time, European settlers expanded their colonies, leading to the forced removal of indigenous people from their lands.
In recent years, many Native Americans have used Thanksgiving as a time to reflect on the history of colonization, celebrating the resilience of their cultures and communities while also recognizing the injustices faced by their ancestors. National Day of Mourning is observed by some Native American groups each Thanksgiving, particularly in Plymouth, to remember the hardships caused by European settlers.
Conclusion
Thanksgiving, as we know it today, has evolved from a simple harvest feast to a national holiday that serves as a time for reflection, gratitude, and connection. While the holiday brings people together to celebrate family and community, it is also a time to acknowledge the historical complexities of the relationship between Native Americans and settlers. As the holiday continues to evolve, it remains a time to celebrate the values of unity, resilience, and the spirit of thankfulness.
