 Thanksgiving was first
celebrated in early colonial times in New England. The actual origin is
probably the harvest festivals that are traditional in many parts of the
world.After the first completed harvests by the Plymouth colonists in 1621, Governor William Bradford proclaimed a day of thanksgiving and prayer, shared by all the colonists and neighboring Native Americans. In 1623 a day of fasting and prayer during a period of drought was changed to one of thanksgiving because the rain came during the prayers. Gradually the custom prevailed in New England of annually celebrating thanksgiving after the harvest. During the American Revolution a yearly day of national thanksgiving was suggested by the Continental Congress. In 1863 President Abraham Lincoln appointed a day of thanksgiving, and since then each president has issued a Thanksgiving Day proclamation, generally designating the fourth Thursday of November as a holiday.
The Pilgrims came across the sea, And never thought of you and me; And yet it's very strange the way We think of them Thanksgiving Day. We tell their story, old and true, Of how they sailed across the blue, And found a new land to be free And built their homes quite near the sea. Every child knows well the tale Of how they bravely turned the sail, And journeyed many a day and night, To worship God as they thought right. The people think that they were sad, And grave; I'm sure that they were glad- They made Thanksgiving Day-that's fun- We thank the Pilgrims, every one! ~Annette Wynne
For the hay and the corn and the wheat that is reaped, For the labor well done, and the barns that are heaped, For the sun and the dew and the sweet honeycomb, For the rose and the song and the harvest brought home -- Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving! For the trade and the skill and the wealth in our land, For the cunning and strength of the workingman's hand, For the good that our artists and poets have taught, For the friendship that hope and affection have brought -- Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving! For the homes that with purest affection are blest, For the season of plenty and well-deserved rest, For our country extending from sea unto sea; The land that is known as the "Land of the Free" -- Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving! ~Author Unknown
apples red and melons gold, Yellow corn both ripe and sweet, Peas and beans so good to eat! Thank you for all my eyes can see-- Lovely sunlight, field and tree, White cloud, boats in sea, Deep sky, soaring bird and butterfly! Thank you for all my ears can hear-- birds' song echoing far and near, songs of little stream, big sea, cricket, bullfrog, duck and bee!
Thanksgiving History Links Plymouth: It's History & People
Here's some links that might help you with the Holiday meal planning. Or helpful hints with what to do with the leftover Turkey! Butterball
I hope you'll
be enjoying this wonderful
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