Abilene Christian University
Government Documents
 J.L.G. Ferris's painting "First Thanksgiving" |
 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.
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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 ...". |
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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" |
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George W. Bush's 2003 Thanksgiving Message George W. Bush's 2004 Thanksgiving Message George W. Bush's 2005 Thanksgiving Message George W. Bush's 2006 Thanksgiving Message |
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.
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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 .
Contents updated: Nov. 2, 2007
