Opinion Pieces

An Insight Into.........American Thanksgiving

November 24, 2004

Almost every culture in the world has held celebrations of thanks for a plentiful harvest. The American Thanksgiving holiday began as a feast of thanksgiving in the early days of the American colonies almost four hundred years ago.

In 1620, a boat filled with more than one hundred people sailed across the Atlantic Ocean to settle in the New World. This religious group, called the Pilgrims, had begun to question the beliefs of the Church of England and they wanted to separate from it. They settled in what is now the state of Massachusetts. Their first winter in the New World was difficult. They had arrived too late to grow many crops, and without fresh food, half the colony died from disease. The following spring the Iroquois Indians taught them how to grow corn and other crops in the unfamiliar soil and how to hunt and fish.

In the autumn of 1621, bountiful crops of corn, barley, beans and pumpkins were harvested. The colonists had much to be thankful for, and so a feast was planned. They invited the local Indian chief and 90 Indians. The Indians brought deer to roast with the turkeys and other wild game offered by the colonists. The Pilgrims had learned how to cook cranberries and a variety of corn and squash dishes from the Indians. To this first Thanksgiving, the Indians had even brought popcorn!   In following years, the original colonists continued to celebrate the autumn harvest with a feast of thanks.  

Turkey, corn (or maize), pumpkins and cranberry sauce are symbols that represent the first Thanksgiving. Now all of these symbols are drawn on holiday decorations and greeting cards. The use of corn meant the survival of the colonies. "Indian corn" as a table or door decoration represents the harvest and the fall season.

The President's Yearly Proclamation

Thanksgiving falls on the fourth Thursday of November.  Each year, the President must proclaim that day as the official celebration.  Here is an excerpt from President George W. Bush's Thanksgiving proclamation of 2004:

"All across America, we gather this week with the people we love to give thanks to God for the blessings in our lives.  We are grateful for our freedom and we are grateful for our families and friends.  On Thanksgiving Day, we acknowledge that all of these things, and life itself, come from the Almighty God…..Thanksgiving is also a time to share our blessings with those who are less fortunate.  Americans this week will gather food and clothing for neighbors in need.  Many young people will give part of their holiday to volunteer at homeless shelters and food pantries.  On Thanksgiving, we remember that the true strength of America lies in the hearts and souls of the American people.  By seeking out those who are hurting and by lending a hand, Americans touch the lives of their fellow citizens and help make our Nation and the world a better place."