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Show S THE American Thanksglv- jrjW 'ns a ro"3 round again, one thinks of the slgnifl-N slgnifl-N cance of that occasion in the Js early days of our land. ip Among all peof!e thanks- -vy giving days have always fi I been, but the American annual an-nual celebration Is unique. There loom up beside visions of fat, savory turkeys and tempting mince pies, the pictures of harvest gatherings gather-ings as we have learned to think of them In the days when the Pilgrim Fathers Instituted the holiday as a holy day, signifying their appreciation of the blessings which America afforded. af-forded. As early as 1621, when Governor Gov-ernor Bradford sent forth men to procure pro-cure game that the New England colonists col-onists might enjoy a day of thanksgiving thanks-giving In remembrance of the fruits of their labors during the year, the annual celebration was instituted. It did not become an official public holiday holi-day until 1031, and even the day of that year set apart was not at first Intended to be a day of rejoicing and thanksgiving. It was a day of fasting fast-ing and prayer for relief -from the famine which seemed imminent Just then everything for the white man's necessity was produced on American soil, and a vessel laden with provisions provi-sions had been so long at sea that the colonists began to fear that they should suffer want before help was near. The ship arrived Just before the day of fasting, and from that the day was changed to one of thanksgiving and rejoicing. Thanksgiving days were occasionally observed also In the New Netherlands after this, but not until 10-14 was another official proclamation procla-mation made to this end. A Thanksgiving Thanks-giving day was declared In honor of the victory of the colonists over the Indians. The first national Thanksglvlne day, by proclamation of President Washington, Wash-ington, was set for Thursday, November Novem-ber 20, 17S0. In the Interior various days In various vari-ous months were set aside by state governors. From time to time other presidents of the United States proclaimed thanksgiving days, and for many years past It has been the nnnual practice of tho executive official to name the last Thursday of November for a national na-tional day of rejoicing and expression of gratefulness to the Giver of all good and perfect gifts. Brooklyn Eagle. |
