Thanksgiving

Abilene Christian University
Government Documents

J.L.G. Ferris's painting "First Thanksgiving"

Rockwell's Freedom From Want

Norman Rockwell's "Freedom From Want"
Large image (233531 Bytes)

History

First Thanksgiving?: When was the first Thanksgiving? Read on to discover Texas's claim to fame as the site of the first Thanksgiving celebration.
How Lincoln Proclaimed Thanksgiving a Holiday: Story of how Sarah Josepha Hale, editor of Godey's Lady's Book, persuaded President Lincoln to establish this national holiday.
Source: Beck, Leonard. "LC's Early Cookbooks Reflect the American Melting Pot." Library of Congress Information Bulletin 49.23 (Nov. 19 1990): p.394-398.
Thanksgiving in American Memory: Explore the early traditions of Thanksgiving through historic documents from the Library of Congress.; Thanksgiving in North America: From Local Harvests to National Holiday
The Smithsonian's concise history of the evolution of the holiday.
Thanksgiving: Movable Feast: How Thanksgiving Day has moved across the calendar, causing some U.S. states to celebrate it on one date while others celebrated it on another day in the same year.
Today in History: Thanksgiving Day: Pilgrims, harvest feasts, and special remembrances illustrate the history and traditions of Thanksgiving. An enjoyable presentation.
Thanksgiving Timeline: Explore significant Thanksgiving events from colonial times through the present.

Presidential activities

In 1789, President George Washington declared the First National Day of Thanksgiving and Public Prayer. A few decades later, in the midst of a bloody civil war, President Lincoln issued a proclamation establishing Thanksgiving as a regular national holiday. Presidents ever since have issued a Thanksgiving Day proclamation.

George Washington's Thanksgiving Proclamation October 3, 1789 -- a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to "the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be ...".

Lincoln's Thanksgiving Proclamation October 3, 1863 -- "fruitful fields and healthful skies"
Lincoln's 1864 Proclamation October 20, 1864 -- established an annual day of "thanksgiving and praise to Almighty God"

George W. Bush's 2003 Thanksgiving Message TEXT | PDF
George W. Bush's 2004 Thanksgiving Message TEXT | PDF
George W. Bush's 2005 Thanksgiving Message TEXT | PDF
George W. Bush's 2006 Thanksgiving Message TEXT | PDF
George W. Bush's 2007 Thanksgiving Message TEXT | PDF

George W. Bush's 2008 Thanksgiving Message TEXT | PDF

Presidential Thanksgiving Proclamations through the year 2000

Pardoning of the Thanksgiving Turkey

A White House tradition established by Truman. A turkey is presented to the president, is "pardoned", and enjoys a life-long stay at a petting zoo. See the photoessay and the presidential speech.

Nostalgia

The Family Gathering: A Thanksgiving-Night Song: Sheet music for a nostalgic old song
The President's Hymn: Song and Chorus: Sheet music to 1863 song composed in honor of the new holiday established by President Abraham Lincoln
Selected Recipes and Menus for Parties, Holidays, and Special Occasions: Holiday recipes from a 1920s cookbook. See the Thanksgiving dinner recipes, or view the table of contents for other fun holiday fare.
First American Recipes for Stuffed Turkey, Pumpkin Pie The first published recipes for these foods in an American cookbook dates back to 1808. Source: Beck, Leonard. "LC's Early Cookbooks Reflect the American Melting Pot." Library of Congress Information Bulletin 49.23 (Nov. 19 1990): p.394-398.

Princeton-Yale Football game
The American Intercollegiate Football Association held its first championship game on Thanksgiving Day in 1876. The growing popularity of the game made it a Thanksgiving tradition. See a video of a Nov. 19, 1903 game between Princeton and Yale.

Cuban Seasonings: How an immigrant family celebrated this holiday "bound by common memories and hopes". Includes a recipe for mojo.
Life on a Turkey Farm: Hard work and family values were byproducts of farm life. Includes a recipe for Grandma Sander's Pumpkin Pie.
A Marriage of Contrasting Traditions: How a culturally mixed family adapted traditional fare to make it their own. Includes a recipe for collard greens .

Beyond Pumpkin Pie

An incredible variety of pumpkin recipes, including pies, but also savory vegetarian options and an interesting Pentagon recipe for pumpkin and sweet Italian sausage fettuccine. A great blend of traditional and innovative ideas.

Contents updated: Nov. 19, 2009