East Central Reporter

Thanksgiving, a significant national holiday in the United States, is being celebrated on Thursday, November 28, 2024. Its origins trace back to 1621 when the Pilgrims of Plymouth Colony and the Wampanoag people held an autumn harvest feast. This event marked one of the earliest Thanksgiving celebrations in American history.

The Pilgrims arrived in Plymouth in December 1620 and faced severe challenges. A harsh winter led to food shortages and freezing conditions, claiming nearly half their community's lives. In spring, with guidance from interpreter Squanto, Chief Massasoit and the Wampanoag people assisted the settlers by teaching them essential skills for farming, hunting, and fishing. This cooperation resulted in a three-day feast featuring local produce like wild game and seafood.

Though Thanksgiving was celebrated sporadically across various colonies afterward, it wasn't until President George Washington's proclamation in 1789 that a national day of thanks was formally observed. The holiday lost favor during the early 19th century until Sarah Josepha Hale campaigned for its establishment as a unifying tradition during the Civil War years. Her efforts succeeded when President Abraham Lincoln declared the last Thursday of November as a day of thanksgiving in 1863. President Franklin D. Roosevelt later changed it to the fourth Thursday of November in 1942.

Abraham Lincoln’s proclamation reads: "The year that is drawing towards its close has been filled with blessings... I do therefore invite my fellow citizens...to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise..."

Thanksgiving serves as a time to reflect on life's blessings such as family, friends, health, and freedom. It encourages acts of kindness through food drives and community dinners.

As you celebrate Thanksgiving 2024, take time to appreciate shared history and traditions that emphasize gratitude within communities.