Thanksgiving is one of the most beloved and widely celebrated holidays in the United States, characterized by family gatherings, feasts, and expressions of gratitude. While the tradition of giving thanks has ancient roots, the journey toward Thanksgiving becoming a national holiday is one filled with historical, cultural, and political significance. This article explores the origins and evolution of Thanksgiving, examining its transition from regional observance to a nationwide tradition and official holiday.
The Early Roots: A Tradition of Giving Thanks
The origins of Thanksgiving as a day of thanks can be traced back to early Native American and European traditions. Indigenous tribes across North America had long celebrated seasonal harvest festivals, giving thanks for the bounty of the earth. For many Native peoples, such as the Wampanoag, the harvest was not only a time to celebrate but a deeply spiritual occasion rooted in their connection to the land and the natural cycles of life.
Similarly, the early European settlers, particularly the Pilgrims, brought with them a tradition of giving thanks to God for the harvest and their survival in the New World. These early observances were less about feasting and more about prayer, communal rituals, and acknowledging divine providence.
The most well-known and mythologized Thanksgiving event is the 1621 feast at Plymouth Colony. After a successful harvest, the Pilgrims, having survived the harsh first winter with the help of the Wampanoag people, shared a three-day feast to celebrate the abundance of food and the unity between the two communities. While this event did not officially establish a yearly Thanksgiving tradition, it laid the groundwork for what would become a national holiday centuries later.
The Evolution of Thanksgiving: Regional Observance
Following the Plymouth feast, the concept of Thanksgiving spread sporadically across various colonies, particularly in New England. However, it was not yet a unified national observance. Each region, colony, or state had its own traditions and dates for giving thanks, with no consistent national observance.
In the 18th and early 19th centuries, Thanksgiving days were often declared by local leaders or governors in response to events of particular significance—such as military victories, good harvests, or the end of epidemics. These proclamations were typically rooted in religious observance, with an emphasis on prayer, reflection, and thanks to God. During the American Revolution, Thanksgiving was sporadically observed in different states, with each state choosing its own date for the occasion.
For much of early American history, Thanksgiving was not a holiday marked by feasts and family gatherings. Instead, it was a day of fasting, prayer, and reflection, similar to the solemn observances in Puritan New England. It wasn’t until the 19th century that the idea of Thanksgiving as a day of feasting and celebration began to take hold, with the changing cultural landscape and growing influence of various immigrant groups.
Sarah Josepha Hale: The Push for a National Thanksgiving Day
While Thanksgiving had been observed in various states, there was no national standard for the holiday. That began to change thanks to the tireless efforts of one woman: Sarah Josepha Hale. Hale, best known for writing the nursery rhyme “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” was a prominent writer, editor, and social activist in the 19th century. She was an ardent advocate for a national Thanksgiving holiday, believing it could serve as a unifying force for a nation still reeling from the divisions of the Civil War.
In 1827, Hale began a campaign to make Thanksgiving a national holiday. She used her influence as the editor of Godey’s Lady’s Book, one of the most widely circulated magazines of the time, to write editorials advocating for the creation of a national day of Thanksgiving. For decades, Hale sent letters to presidents, governors, and other influential leaders, urging them to establish Thanksgiving as a national observance.
Hale’s arguments were compelling: she argued that a national Thanksgiving would provide a much-needed break from the hardships of daily life, especially for women who managed the home, and would promote unity across the increasingly divided country. She framed Thanksgiving as a spiritual and national necessity—a way to express gratitude for the country’s blessings and to build a sense of collective identity among Americans.
Abraham Lincoln and the Official Establishment of Thanksgiving
Hale’s persistent efforts finally bore fruit in 1863, during the American Civil War, when President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed Thanksgiving a national holiday. The timing of Lincoln’s decision was critical, as the country was deeply fractured, and the Civil War had caused immense loss and suffering. Lincoln recognized that the holiday could provide a moment of respite and healing for a nation torn apart by conflict.
In his proclamation, Lincoln called for a day of thanksgiving and prayer on the final Thursday in November. He encouraged Americans to offer thanks for the many blessings they had received, including the opportunity to reunite as a nation after the war. He also expressed gratitude for the success of the Union’s military efforts, even in the midst of such great adversity.
Lincoln’s proclamation read, in part:
“It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.”
Lincoln’s proclamation was an official recognition of Thanksgiving as a national holiday, but it was also a reflection of the country’s deeper spiritual and moral needs during a time of war. The holiday became an opportunity to pause and reflect on the nation’s shared history, the struggles they had endured, and the hope for a more unified future.
The Modernization of Thanksgiving: From Religious Observance to Secular Celebration
In the years following Lincoln’s proclamation, Thanksgiving slowly evolved into a more secular and commercialized celebration. The religious overtones of the holiday began to fade, and the focus shifted toward family gatherings, feasts, and entertainment. By the late 19th century and into the early 20th century, Thanksgiving became closely associated with family, food, and, eventually, the retail industry.
The growth of Thanksgiving parades, most notably the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, helped to further popularize the holiday. These parades became grand spectacles, filled with balloons, floats, and musical performances, adding a festive, celebratory element to what had once been a solemn day of prayer.
The holiday also began to take on a more distinctly American flavor, blending traditional Native American elements, such as the cornucopia and turkey, with European traditions of feasting and harvest festivals. By the 20th century, Thanksgiving had become an iconic celebration of American culture.
In 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt made a controversial change to the date of Thanksgiving. Originally set for the last Thursday in November, Roosevelt moved the holiday up one week, hoping to extend the holiday shopping season and boost the economy during the Great Depression. This decision was met with resistance from many states, and in 1941, after considerable debate, Congress passed a law officially establishing Thanksgiving as the fourth Thursday in November—a date that has remained in place ever since.
Thanksgiving Today: A National Celebration
Today, Thanksgiving is a national holiday celebrated by millions of Americans, marked by family gatherings, elaborate meals, and expressions of gratitude. The holiday has evolved beyond its religious and regional roots, becoming a time for people of all backgrounds to reflect on their blessings and spend time with loved ones. It remains one of the most important holidays in American culture, bridging the past with the present and providing a time of communal reflection, rest, and connection.
While the commercial aspects of the holiday—such as Black Friday shopping and large-scale feasts—are often the focus, Thanksgiving continues to hold deeper significance for many people. It is a time to honor history, acknowledge the Native American roots of the holiday, and express gratitude for the shared experiences and opportunities that have shaped the nation.
Conclusion: The Enduring Legacy of Thanksgiving
The story of Thanksgiving’s rise to national prominence reflects the evolving nature of American identity. From its early roots in indigenous harvest traditions and Pilgrim observances, to Sarah Josepha Hale’s tireless advocacy, and Abraham Lincoln’s declaration during a time of national crisis, Thanksgiving has grown into a holiday that represents both individual and collective gratitude. Whether as a day of prayer and reflection or a celebration of family, community, and food, Thanksgiving continues to be a cherished time for millions, resonating with themes of unity, thankfulness, and shared history.
Related topics:
- What Verse Is the Thanksgiving Sermon?
- The Origins of Thanksgiving: Tracing the Roots of a National Holiday
- When Is American Thanksgiving 2024?