Thanksgiving 😊

Thanksgiving: A Deep Dive into Its History, Traditions, and Modern Significance

Thanksgiving is one of the most appreciated holidays in the United States, celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November every year. Families and friends gather to share a meal and express gratitude for all that has been blessed in their lives. The history of Thanksgiving is not without its complexities and multifaceted themes of gratitude, survival, cultural exchange, and, unfortunately, conflict. This blog shall discuss the origins of Thanksgiving, its evolution into a national holiday, the traditional foods associated with it, and its contemporary significance.

Historical Origins of Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving's origins lie in the harvest festivals of early settlers, which the Native Americans observed long before the European settlers arrived. Most of the Indigenous cultures held rituals and ceremonies to thank the bountiful harvests. The Cherokee people, for example, had the Green Corn Dance to celebrate the harvest and ask for good crops in the future3.

The First Thanksgiving

The most famous Thanksgiving celebration is the feast held in 1621 between the Pilgrims of Plymouth Colony and the Wampanoag tribe. After surviving a harsh winter that killed off many of them, the Pilgrims celebrated their first successful harvest with a three-day feast that included fowl (likely wild turkey), venison, and various local crops5. This event was not initially termed "Thanksgiving," but it laid the groundwork for what would become a national holiday.

Early Thanksgiving Celebrations

Although the 1621 feast is what most people think of as the first Thanksgiving, other earlier celebrations occurred in North America. For instance:

In 1619, English settlers at Berkeley Hundred in Virginia observed a day of thanksgiving when they arrived2.

The Popham Colony in Maine observed a Thanksgiving service in 1607, and the Jamestown settlers also celebrated days of thanksgiving in their early years34.

These early observations have been rooted in religious traditions, which expressed thanks for their survival and plenty.

Development of a National Holiday

Thanksgiving did not become an official holiday until much later. Different colonies declared days of thanksgiving throughout the years, but it was not until 1863 during the Civil War that President Abraham Lincoln declared it a national holiday. Lincoln sought to unite the Northern and Southern states in conflict by establishing Thanksgiving as a day for Americans to come together in thanks45.

Sarah Josepha Hale's Influence

The drive for a national Thanksgiving holiday can be largely credited to Sarah Josepha Hale, a powerful magazine editor who campaigned for decades to establish a formal day of thanksgiving. Her efforts culminated in Lincoln's proclamation on October 3, 1863, declaring the last Thursday in November as a day of national thanksgiving35.

Traditional Foods and Customs

Turkey roasted to perfection, often paired with stuffing or dressing, represents the cornerstone of most Thanksgiving menus. These popular Thanksgiving food staples often consist of: mashed potatoes with gravy; cranberry sauce; sweet potatoes or yams; green bean casserole; and pie--usually pumpkin, pecan, and apple.

The dinner itself usually differs by region; for example, some Southern families have fried chicken or collard greens on their dinner plates.

Contemporary Celebrations

Thanksgiving has also become a day in modern-day America that is celebrated with the gathering of family members, followed by parades, such as Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and football games. It is also the gateway to major shopping events such as Black Friday.

Cultural Reflections: A Bittersweet Heritage

While many celebrate Thanksgiving as a time of gratitude and family bonding, it is important to remember the darker historical context. Often, the narrative surrounding Thanksgiving forgets the impact that colonization had on Native American communities. The first feast between the Pilgrims and Wampanoag people was cooperative, but subsequent interactions led to violence, displacement, and suffering for Indigenous peoples.

National Day of Mourning

To this complex legacy, many Native Americans celebrate National Day of Mourning on Thanksgiving Day. This started in 1970 when Wamsutta Frank James was invited to speak at a celebration but was disinvited after he planned to address the historical injustices faced by Native peoples. Instead, he delivered his speech at Cole's Hill near Plymouth Rock to honor those who suffered due to colonization4.

Conclusion: Gratitude Amid Complexity Thanksgiving is still one of America's favorite holidays-a moment for reflection on gratitude and community, however only fully understood when both the celebratory and complicated legacies that involve Indigenous peoples are brought into view. As the family gathers around the table each November, so can the duality- celebrate abundance while remembering those who faced hardship during this pivotal point in American history.

This way, we can support an even more inclusive narrative that respects all components of our common past-both thankfulness and remembrance as integral parts of what it means today to celebrate Thanksgiving.