Thanksgiving is a day of national celebration in more than a dozen countries. Thanksgiving has its roots in the Christian practice of giving thanks through prayer for good fortune. Today we think of Thanksgiving as a celebration of a successful harvest. Our ancestors had a far broader view. Special Blessings or Days of Thanksgiving were established for many events including political and military victories. In England the victory over the Spanish Armada in 1588 and the failure of the Gunpowder plot in 1605 were celebrated. English settlers brought the tradtion with them to their American colonies.
First Thanksgiving
When was the first Thanksgiving? Not surprisingly, there’s a bit of controversy about it. Many US students are taught the story of the Plymouth colony’s declared Day of Thanksgiving in 1621. There’s even a wonderful Charlie Brown Peanuts special about it. However, there was an earlier one. In 1619, the 38 English settlers from the Margaret, arrived in Virginia. As their charter dictated, they promptly celebrated a day of thanks on 4 December 1619. While there’s no documentation, some Canadians point to the 1578 voyage of Martin Frobisher as the first North American celebration. Additionally, 17th century French settlers in Canada also celebrated successful harvests with a feast.
Evolution of the Tradition
Over time the declaration of Thanksgiving days moved from a localized church initiated process to a government one. The first nationally declared day in Canada occurred in 1859. In 1879, the Governor General declared 6 November as a day of General Thanksgiving. In 1957, the Canadian Parliament moved the day to the second Monday in October. The US went through a similar transition. President George Washington proclaimed the first nationwide celebration in the US (26 November 1789). For 70 years there was no nationally recognized Thanksgiving day in the US. That changed in 1863 when Abraham Lincoln set it as the final Thursday in November. There was a minor brouhaha during the FDR’s term. To boost holiday shopping days, FDR moved the official day to the next to last Thursday in November. Two years later, FDR relented and signed a law setting Thanksgiving as the fourth Thursday in November.
Our Map
That brings us to our map of the most disproportionately popular Thanksgiving dish in each US region. It comes courtesy of Insider Inc. from 2018. Yes, I know that’s four years ago, but I doubt it’s changed much.
As always thanks for reading.
Armen
Note to Pay the Bills: While the Misaligned series highligts traditional Celtic holidays, the story also finds room for modern American holidays. Penny Preston and the Raven’s Talisman features both Halloween and Thanksgiving. How does that fit in with a YA fantasy story about the intersection of theoretical physics and Welsh mythology? You can learn more here or find links to purchase books here.
Additionally, consider signing up for my FREE newsletter. It will contain previews, announcements, and contests related to my novels. It will not overwhelm your inbox – I’m thinking once a month or less depending on news.
Thank the Good Lord I don’t live on the West Coast and, though I may be getting older, I’m not living in the deep South. Salads and Greens just don’t do it for me.
I guess I belong in NY or maybe PA (I can’t see myself in NJ), because I do enjoy a well stuffed bird.