Thanksgiving is a time for reflection, gratitude, and connection—a special occasion where families and friends gather to share a meal, celebrate the harvest, and express thanks for their blessings. But, like many of the holidays that permeate our cultural calendar, Thanksgiving has an interesting and complex history. The roots of this beloved American holiday can be traced to a combination of European traditions, indigenous customs, and American evolution, each contributing its own piece to the present-day observance. In this article, we will explore when Thanksgiving was “invented” in its modern form, the historical events and traditions that led up to it, and how the holiday has evolved into the national celebration it is today.
The Early Beginnings: A Time of Harvest and Gratitude
Thanksgiving, as we know it today, is often associated with the Pilgrims of Plymouth Colony, who celebrated what is popularly known as the “First Thanksgiving” in 1621. However, the concept of a harvest celebration was not new to the Pilgrims. In fact, it was a tradition shared by many indigenous peoples of North America long before the Europeans arrived. These early harvest festivals were rooted in deep spiritual beliefs, marking a time to give thanks for the bounty of the earth, honor the spirits of nature, and offer gratitude for the community’s survival.
The Pilgrims and the First Thanksgiving
In 1620, a group of English Puritans, known as the Pilgrims, arrived in what is now Massachusetts aboard the Mayflower. They had fled religious persecution in England and sought to create a new life in the New World, where they could freely practice their faith. The early years in the Plymouth Colony were harsh, with severe winters, poor food supplies, and diseases that claimed the lives of many settlers.
The following year, 1621, was pivotal. Thanks to the assistance of the Wampanoag people, led by Chief Massasoit, the Pilgrims were able to survive their first challenging winter. The Wampanoag taught the settlers how to grow crops like corn, beans, and squash, as well as how to fish and hunt in the unfamiliar environment. This collaboration led to a successful harvest in the fall of 1621, which the Pilgrims and their Native American allies celebrated together.
While there was no formal “Thanksgiving” as we know it today, the 1621 feast was a moment of thanksgiving and celebration. The Pilgrims and the Wampanoag gathered to share a meal, which likely included fowl (such as wild turkey and ducks), venison, seafood, corn, beans, squash, and fruits. The event lasted for three days and was not just about food; it was a demonstration of friendship, cooperation, and mutual respect between the two groups.
Though this gathering is often romanticized as the “First Thanksgiving,” it was far from the structured, annual holiday that we now celebrate. It was a spontaneous, communal act of gratitude for a successful harvest, and it did not become an official or regularly scheduled event at that time.
Thanksgiving Celebrations in Colonial America
Following the Pilgrims’ first feast, Thanksgiving observances continued sporadically in the colonies, but they were not standardized or consistent. Early Thanksgiving celebrations were linked to specific events such as military victories, the end of droughts, or good harvests, but they were typically not formalized into a national holiday. For instance, in 1637, the Massachusetts Bay Colony declared a day of thanksgiving after the English settlers’ victory over the Pequot tribe, a day marked by prayer and feasting.
During the colonial period, other regions also observed days of thanksgiving, although these were often held on varying dates and without a standardized format. The New England colonies, in particular, embraced these days of thanksgiving, while southern colonies and the West Indies did not adopt the same practices. It was common for the observances to include prayers of thanks for good harvests and the protection of communities, but again, these were irregular and did not resemble the modern celebration we recognize today.
The Influence of Sarah Josepha Hale
It wasn’t until the 19th century that the idea of a national Thanksgiving holiday began to take hold in the United States, largely due to the efforts of one influential woman—Sarah Josepha Hale. Hale was an editor, writer, and strong advocate for the establishment of a national day of thanksgiving. She is perhaps best known for writing the nursery rhyme “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” but her tireless campaign for Thanksgiving also left a lasting legacy on American culture.
Hale’s campaign for a national Thanksgiving began in the 1820s. For decades, she published editorials in her influential magazine Godey’s Lady’s Book, calling for a unified national celebration of Thanksgiving. Hale believed that a national holiday would promote unity and social cohesion in a rapidly expanding and sometimes divided nation. She wrote to politicians, including Presidents and governors, urging them to establish Thanksgiving as an official holiday.
Her advocacy paid off when, in 1863, President Abraham Lincoln responded to her appeals. The nation was in the midst of the Civil War, and Lincoln saw the establishment of a national day of thanks as a way to bring the country together. On October 3, 1863, Lincoln issued a proclamation declaring Thanksgiving a national holiday, to be observed on the final Thursday of November.
The Nationalization of Thanksgiving
Lincoln’s proclamation was a pivotal moment in the history of Thanksgiving. The date he chose, the last Thursday in November, became the standardized day of observance. Thanksgiving was no longer just a regional or sporadic event—it was now a national holiday, celebrated across the United States. The tradition of a large family meal, often featuring turkey and other dishes, began to take hold in households throughout the country.
It’s important to note that Lincoln’s Thanksgiving proclamation was not without controversy. Some Southern states, still embroiled in the Civil War, did not observe the holiday. But as the nation healed and grew in the post-war period, Thanksgiving became more widely accepted as a national tradition.
Thanksgiving and Its Evolving Traditions
Over the course of the next several decades, Thanksgiving grew in popularity and its traditions solidified. The turkey, the centerpiece of many Thanksgiving meals, became the most iconic food associated with the holiday. Other traditional foods, such as stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie, also became staples of the Thanksgiving feast.
In 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt made a controversial decision to move Thanksgiving up one week, from the final Thursday of November to the third Thursday. The goal was to extend the holiday shopping season and boost the economy during the Great Depression. This change was met with backlash, particularly from those who felt that the tradition of the last Thursday in November should not be altered. After two years of confusion and discontent, Congress passed a law in 1941 declaring that Thanksgiving would always fall on the fourth Thursday in November, where it remains to this day.
Thanksgiving Today: A National Tradition
Today, Thanksgiving is celebrated by millions of Americans every year. The holiday has retained its original spirit of gratitude, but it has also evolved into a multifaceted celebration that includes not only family gatherings and large meals but also parades, football games, and volunteerism. For many, it is a time to reflect on the blessings of life and give thanks for family, health, and prosperity. For others, it is an opportunity to gather with loved ones and enjoy the simple pleasures of good food and great company.
In modern times, Thanksgiving has also taken on broader cultural and social meanings. It is a time to reflect on the history of colonization, the relationships between indigenous peoples and settlers, and the impact of these historical events on the Native American communities. Some communities and individuals observe the day as a time of mourning and remembrance for the injustices and hardships faced by indigenous peoples, and the holiday is sometimes referred to as “National Day of Mourning” in certain circles.
Conclusion
So, when was Thanksgiving “invented”? The answer is not as simple as a specific date. Thanksgiving evolved over centuries, shaped by various cultural, religious, and social influences. While the 1621 feast in Plymouth Colony is often romanticized as the first Thanksgiving, the modern national holiday as we know it today owes much to Sarah Josepha Hale’s persistent advocacy and President Abraham Lincoln’s 1863 proclamation. Thanksgiving has since become a cherished tradition that continues to grow and change, adapting to the needs and values of society while holding on to its core message of gratitude and community.
As we gather around our tables each year, whether in solemn reflection or joyous celebration, we are participating in a centuries-old tradition of giving thanks—one that has been shaped by countless individuals and events over the course of American history.
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