Thanksgiving

Turkey Day.

Traditionally, Pilgrims with funny hats and big belt buckles sharing a turkey meal with Native Indians.

Thanksgiving founded as a religious observance to give thanks to God for a common purpose (notably harvest), which continues today with religious services and mealtime prayer.

Unofficial handover to the Christmas shopping season.

Native America

The Pauquunaukit Wampanoag tribe of the current-day Plymouth region.

• Dozens of communities connected by trails and roads. Gathering, hunting, fishing and agricultural areas (planting crops for 1,200 years).
• 1524. The first documented contact with Europeans — followed by a century of violent encounters, captivity and enslavement. The Plymouth Pilgrims were actually chased away from a previous landing site on the Cape!
• 1541. Thanksgiving mass held by the Spanish explorer Francisco Vásquez de Coronado and his expedition of 1,500 men in the current-day Texas Panhandle.
• Prior to the arrival of the Pilgrims, an epidemic killed between 75–90% of the Massachusetts Bay Indians. Survivors consolidated and alliances were formed with the Massachusett and Nipmuck tribes.
• Led by Ousamequin (often called Massasoit, a leadership title not name).

Mayflower Pilgrims

Most were Separatists (i.e. English Dissenters, wanted separation from the church), not Puritans (wished to remain part of the Anglican Church) of the Massachusetts Bay Colony (current-day Boston) of 1630. Both groups were strict Calvinists (i.e. form of Protestants).

• 1620. Pilgrims land on Plymouth Rock carrying Tisquantum — commonly referred to as Squanto — a member of the Patuxet tribe kidnapped by Thomas Hunt in 1614 who worked as a translator and liaison.
• 1620. Half the colony dies during the first winter, with the remaining surviving due to the help of Tisquantum and Wampanoags (gave food, taught how to catch eel and grow corn).
• 1621. After months of internal debate, the weakened (see: epidemic) Wampanoag tribe enters a mutual-defense agreement with the Pilgrims.
• Pilgrims did not observe Christmas.

“First Thanksgiving”

For Pilgrims the term “thanksgiving” was a time of fasting and prayer. On the other hand “rejoicing” referred to the feasting, drinking and games we associate with Thanksgiving today.

• 1621. Following the first harvest, between September 21 and November 11.
• The original feast likely consisted of turkey, fish, eels, shellfish and nasaump — a Wampanoag dish of boiled cornmeal, vegetables and meats. No potatoes or pies (no butter, flour or sugar).
• Hearing celebratory gunfire, Wampanoags assumed the settlement was under attack and turned up unexpectedly as per the defense agreement. They outnumbered the Pilgrims (90 to 53) and ended up staying for three days.
• Pilgrims might already have been familiar with turkey in England, even though the bird is native to the Americas. The Spaniards brought domesticated turkeys back from Central America in the early 17th century, and the birds soon became popular all over Europe.

“At which time, amongst other recreations, we exercised our arms, many of the Indians coming amongst us, and among the rest their greatest king Massasoit, with some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted, and they went out and killed five deer, which we brought to the plantation and bestowed on our governor, and upon the captain and others. And although it be not always so plentiful as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want that we often wish you partakers of our plenty.” — Edward Winslow

• Two colonists gave personal accounts — William Bradford (published 1850s) and Edward Winslow (Mourt’s Relation, original booklet lost). Neither made much impact regarding the holiday.

“They also set apart a day of thanksgiving… By this time harvest was come, and instead of famine now God gave them plenty … for which they blessed God.” — Governor William Bradford

• 1623. The first civil recognition of Thanksgiving (by Governor Bradford) and a true “thanksgiving” following a fast.
• Pilgrims continued to celebrate (fasting and prayer) “thanksgivings” in both fall and spring.
• 1675–76. Conflict between colonists and Pumetacom — Ousamequin’s son referred to as King Philip by the English — where the relentless seizures of native land led to 52 New England towns being attacked and as much as 40% of the Native population killed. Ended with Wampanoags sold into bondage and Pumetacom’s head displayed on a pike, where it remained for two decades!

Thanksgiving Day Proclamations

“…for Solemn Thanksgiving and Praise: That at one Time and with one Voice, the good People may express the grateful Feelings of their Hearts, and consecrate themselves to the Service of their Divine Benefactor.” — Samuel Adams

• 1777. The first national proclamation of Thanksgiving given by the Continental Congress, which during the Civil War appointed one or more “national days of prayer, humiliation, and thanksgiving” each year.

“Now therefore do I recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being.” — George Washington

• 1789. George Washingtons signed the Thanksgiving Day proclamation, designated by the national government. Auctioned by Christie’s in 2017 for $8 million.

Rediscovery & National Holiday

Thanksgiving celebrations were annually appointed state-by-state (between October and November) and intermittently celebrated until 1863 — and mostly in New England.

• 1820. A copy of the original Mourt’s Relation booklet rediscovered in Philadelphia.
• 1841. Mourt’s Relation reprinted with a footnote by Reverend Alexander Young identifies 1621 as the first Thanksgiving feast.
• 1846–1863. Sarah Josepha Hale (editor and author of Mary Had a Little Lamb) petitioned (she wrote letters to five Presidents) for Thanksgiving to be a national holiday.

“Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.” — Abraham Lincoln

• 1863. During the Civil War — and prompted by letters from Sarah Josepha Hale — Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday as a means to unify.
• Superseded Evacuation Day (November 25, British withdrawal during the American Revolution) as the de facto national holiday.

Post Civil War

Thanksgiving traditions varied by region and included a Thanksgiving Eve raffle (geese or turkey prizes), shooting matches (using turkeys and chickens), church services, costume parades — and traditional feasts including turkey, pumpkin pie and pigeon pie!

• 1890s. Professional football on Thanksgiving started to become a staple.
• 1920. Philadelphia’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is the oldest parade and was associated with Gimbels (Macy’s rival, closed 1986).
• Since 1920. The NFL has played on Thanksgiving Day (and until recently, the only games played apart from Sunday or Monday) — except during WWII.
• Since 1924. Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade held annually from the Upper West Side to Macy’s flagship store in Herald Square, and televised nationally by NBC. Features performances, TV personalities, high school marching bands, and floats (traditionally ends with Santa Claus and the unofficial opening of the Christmas season). Billed as the world’s largest parade. “Inflation Day” takes place on Thanksgiving Eve and lets the public witness the inflation of the parade floats.
• Since 1924. America’s Thanksgiving Parade in Detroit is one of the largest parades in the country, and precedes the annual Detroit Lions Thanksgiving football game. The Mayor of Detroit closes the parade by giving Santa Claus a key to the city.
• 1939. The founder of Macy’s convinced Franklin D. Roosevelt to move Thanksgiving one week earlier (from the last last to fourth Thursday) to help the economy during the Great Depression (as it was inappropriate to advertise Christmas goods before Thanksgiving). Widely ignored, the 23rd was referred to as “Democratic Thanksgiving” or “Franksgiving” — and the 30th as “Republican Thanksgiving.”
• 1940-1941. Years in which November had four Thursdays, Roosevelt declared the third one as Thanksgiving. Also not widely followed.
• 1941. President Roosevelt signed a bill making the date of Thanksgiving a matter of federal law and fixing the day as the fourth Thursday of November.
• Since 1947. The National Turkey Federation presents the President of the United States with one live turkey and two dressed turkeys, in a ceremony known as the National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation.

“Over three centuries ago, our forefathers in Virginia and in Massachusetts, far from home in a lonely wilderness, set aside a time of thanksgiving. On the appointed day, they gave reverent thanks for their safety, for the health of their children, for the fertility of their fields, for the love which bound them together and for the faith which united them with their God.” — John F. Kennedy

• 1963. John F. Kennedy issued a proclamation (#3560) on Thanksgiving.
• 1969. Hundreds of anti-Thanksgiving Day supporters traveled to Alcatraz to celebrate the Occupation of Alcatraz (which had started a week earlier and lasted until 1971) by Native Americans of All Tribes.
• Since 1970. The United American Indians of New England, which accuses the US of fabricating the Thanksgiving story and of whitewashing a genocide and injustice against Native Americans, leads a National Day of Mourning protest at Plymouth Rock.
• 1973. The American Indian Movement took over a Mayflower float in a Thanksgiving Day parade.
• 1987. Ronald Reagan jokingly gave the first turkey presidential pardon, and since it has become a permanent annual tradition. The turkeys, however, rarely live to see the next Thanksgiving due to being bred for large size.
• Since 2010. Members of the Oneida Indian Nation march in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with a float called The True Spirit of Thanksgiving.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDUDlAEv5pU

Today

• Over 45 million turkeys consumed by 85% of Americans, spending over $1 billion and eating more food than any other day. One of the busies travel periods in the US. Thanksgiving Eve known as “Blackout Wednesday” because it’s one of the busiest nights for bars and clubs.
• Besides turkey food includes stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce, sweet corn, squash and pumpkin pie. Green bean casserole was introduced in 1955 and remains a favorite.
• Popular events on Thanksgiving weekend include the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Turkey Trots (most popular US race day), college football (end of season rivalries such as the Iron Bowl or Apple Cup), and the world pumpkin chunking (i.e. launching) contest.
• Media includes A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, The Thanksgiving Song (Adam Sandler), Alice’s Restaurant (18-minute song played in-full by radio stations).
• Like Columbus Day, considered by many to be a day to condemn the genocide and conquest of Native Americans — and the embellished story of “Pilgrims and Natives looking past their differences.” Not universally negative, some seek reconciliation by comparing it to wopila, a thanks-giving celebration practiced by Native Americans of the Great Plains.
• The day after Thanksgiving is known as Black Friday (retail sales). A contrasting movement known as Buy Nothing Day originated in Canada in 1992. The day after is also Native American Heritage Day, a day to pay tribute to Native Americans for their many contributions. Small Business Saturday takes place on Saturday. Cyber Monday originated when consumers returning to work took advantage of their employers’ broadband connections to do online shopping. Giving Tuesday takes place on the Tuesday after.