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Show v This traditional holiday, Thanksgiving Day, is one of America's favorites. No gift-giving problems, no hurly burly, just a wonderful family reunion with turkey, cranberries (?), pumpkin pie, the children arriving and the blessing together again with several generations, after worship and thanks at church. The colonists, grateful for a good year and a successful harvest, started the custom in the Plymouth Rock Colony in December 1623. Festivities were continued after a fine harvest or a war concluded with the Indians until George Washington by presidential proclamation in 1789 made it an annual custom, this time in honor of the new constitution. Largely through the efforts of Mrs. Sarah J. Hale, editor of "Godey's Lady's Book", President Lincoln in 1863 named the fourth Thursday of November as the official date. President Roosevelt changed this to the third Thursday but this proved too unpopular and each president now by proclamation announces the fourth Thursday as our day of celebration. As in so many other festivals, Thanksgiving has an ancient, pagan origin. "Crops in" called for a feast to the cods. Durina the 19th century the Yankees gave a more secular spirit to the day but the traditional flavor has now returned to a religious significance of thanks for the harvest, the pleasant benefits of family and the blessings of the year. Happy Thanksgiving. May you have much to be thankful for in your family and your friends. rat sMm 1 |