Give Thanks
Give Thanks
As a nation, the United States has gone through tumultuous times in our history. Many would say that it is a miracle that the nation exists at all. Now we are engaged in recovery from an event that has left us all shaken.
Over the past weeks many voices have been raised in support of our people, our government, our way of life. True, some voices have expressed negative ideas; some have said they felt left out of the national effort to recover and some have even grown tired of hearing patriotic songs. That's perfectly all right. That is just one of the things for which we can give thanks.
We are approaching the season of our official day of thanksgiving, and it will have new meaning this year. Like many, I am thankful that I live in a society that allows me the freedom to be me. I am thankful that I am not subject to rules that put unfair restrictions on men and women alike. I am thankful that I can openly observe my religion and openly state my opinions. I am thankful that the worst I have to fear by doing so is that some will not agree with me. I am thankful that it is my right to do so and that their right to disagree is also protected.
Thanksgiving is more than just a day when we watch the Thanksgiving Parade, lots of football and eat ourselves into somnolence. It is not a uniquely American holiday, although we certainly have adopted it with gusto. The Pilgrims and turkey are symbols of Thanksgiving that we all recognize and it is true that the Pilgrims celebrated the first memorable holiday in the new world. But there are many legends associated with the observance.
Want to learn more about it and have some fun? Thanksgiving: Traditions & History offers good information and even has a quiz you can take. The "First" Thanksgiving: Facts & Fancies offers more insights and lists the menu for the "first" Thanksgiving. It is interesting to note that even though the Pilgrims were credited with celebrating the first Thanksgiving in the new world, they did not continue to celebrate it as a annual event.
A day of Thanksgiving was declared by the Continental Congress in 1777 and an official Thanksgiving Proclamation was issued in 1782. The Papers of George Washington from 1789 include a Thanksgiving Proclamation. Beginning in 1823, efforts were made to declare Thanksgiving a national holiday. In 1863, Abraham Lincoln made it official. The date of the official Thanksgiving observance was set by Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1939 and in 1941 Congress sanctioned Thanksgiving as a national holiday, setting its date as the 4th Thursday in November.
But this year, as you settle in to watch the 75th Macy's Thanksgiving Parade I hope you will take a moment to give heartfelt thanks for all the blessings we enjoy. I think they have been given new meaning this year.
Artistry
10/31/01
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