Thanksgiving celebrations are memorable. There is generally enough food, drink, and merriment to go around. Yet, Thanksgiving is not just about lavish banquets. More importantly, it is a pivotal time to give thanks for our numerous blessings. Because Thanksgiving’s symbolism is priceless, let’s briefly examine the history of this remarkable holiday.
The most famous “recorded” Thanksgiving in our nation occurred in 1621. One hundred and two people left England in 1620 seeking national and religious freedom. They arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts, in late November and quickly built shelters to protect themselves from the elements. The winter was especially brutal that year, and nearly half of the settlers died. Still, the remaining pioneers persevered. They tirelessly worked the land and built homes. Two Native American Indians, Samoset and Aquanto, were an invaluable source of information to these settlers.
Samoset and Aquanto, who already knew how to speak English, educated the settlers as to the edible and medicinal uses of plants, warned which greens were poisonous, showed how to obtain maple syrup from trees, taught about diversified crop planting, etc. The settlers’ resolve, coupled with the Indians’ precious knowledge, afforded the newcomers a bountiful harvest which would last throughout the winter. A three-day celebration of thanks began on December 13, 1621.
In 1789, President George Washington issued the historical Thanksgiving proclamation declaring Thursday, November 26, as a day of thanks and prayer. Still, ceremonies existed primarily at the State level. In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued a decree making Thanksgiving a national holiday to be honored on the last Thursday in November.
It is important to mention that other many other Thanksgiving celebrations preceded 1621; people throughout the world have given thanks since history began. In America, the Virginian colonists celebrated a special Thanksgiving in 1619. Prior to the arrival of settlers in America, Indians regularly gave thanks for their harvest. Still, it is the 1621 Thanksgiving that shapes our country’s perception of this notable holiday.
America is an extremely blessed nation; our harvest has been bountiful. May we work in a spirit of humility to boldly proclaim our thanks. Happy Thanksgiving!
