Thanksgiving

Celebrations of Thanksgiving have been going on for thousands of years, in many cultures.

The origin of the American Thanksgiving occurred in Plymouth in 1620, when the pilgrims celebrated their first Harvest.

The Pilgrim Fathers set sail for the New World from Plymouth, England- establishing Plymouth Colony (in Massachusetts) - the second English colony in what is now the US.

Click on the related questions below to find out more about the history of Thanksgiving

Plymouth, Massachusetts:

PRIMARY SOURCES FOR

"THE FIRST THANKSGIVING"

AT PLYMOUTH

There are 2 (and only 2) primary sources

for the events of autumn 1621 in Plymouth :

Edward Winslow writing in Mourt's Relation and

William Bradford writing in Of Plymouth Plantation

Edward Winslow, Mourt's Relation :

"our harvest being gotten in, our governour sent foure men on fowling, that so we might after a speciall manner rejoyce together, after we had gathered the fruits of our labours ; they foure in one day killed as much fowle, as with a little helpe beside, served the Company almost a weeke, at which time amongst other Recreations, we exercised our Armes, many of the Indians coming amongst us, and amongst the rest their greatest king Massasoyt, with some ninetie men, whom for three dayes we entertained and feasted, and they went out and killed five Deere, which they brought to the Plantation and bestowed on our Governour, and upon the Captaine and others. And although it be not always so plentifull, as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so farre from want, that we often wish you partakers of our plentie."

In modern spelling

"our harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling, that so we might after a special manner rejoice together, after we had gathered the fruits of our labors; they four in one day killed as much fowl, as with a little help beside, served the Company almost a week, at which time amongst other Recreations, we exercised our Arms, many of the Indians coming amongst us, and amongst the rest their greatest king Massasoit, with some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted, and they went out and killed five Deer, which they brought to the Plantation and bestowed on our Governor, and upon the Captain and others. And although it be not always so plentiful, as it was at this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want, that we often wish you partakers of our plenty."

William Bradford, Of Plimoth Plantation :

In the original 17th century spelling

"They begane now to gather in ye small harvest they had, and to fitte up their houses and dwellings against winter, being all well recovered in health & strenght, and had all things in good plenty; fFor as some were thus imployed in affairs abroad, others were excersised in fishing, aboute codd, & bass, & other fish, of which yey tooke good store, of which every family had their portion. All ye somer ther was no want. And now begane to come in store of foule, as winter approached, of which this place did abound when they came first (but afterward decreased by degrees). And besids water foule, ther was great store of wild Turkies, of which they tooke many, besids venison, &c. Besids, they had about a peck a meale a weeke to a person, or now since harvest, Indean corn to yt proportion. Which made many afterwards write so largly of their plenty hear to their freinds in England, which were not fained, but true reports."

In modern spelling

"They began now to gather in the small harvest they had, and to fit up their houses and dwellings against winter, being all well recovered in health and strength and had all things in good plenty. For as some were thus employed in affairs abroad, others were exercised in fishing, about cod and bass and other fish, of which they took good store, of which every family had their portion. All the summer there was no want; and now began to come in store of fowl, as winter approached, of which this place did abound when they came first (but afterward decreased by degrees). And besides waterfowl there was great store of wild turkeys, of which they took many, besides venison, etc. Besides, they had about a peck of meal a week to a person, or now since harvest, Indian corn to that proportion. Which made many afterwards write so largely of their plenty here to their friends in England, which were not feigned but true reports."

Simple explanation : Franklin Roosevelt thought having more days between Thanksgiving and Christmas would improve Christmas sales and benefit the economy.

After Lincoln, most presidents were happy to continue the tradition of celebrating Thanksgiving Day on the last Thursday of November. In 1939 however President Roosevelt moved Thanksgiving up a week and briefly caused the nation to have two Thanksgiving Days. Kevin Katz explains in his 2007 article "FDR and Two Thanksgivings" the reasons behind the date change and the controversy it caused.

In 1939 Thanksgiving was due to fall on the last day of the month, November 30th. Research had shown that most consumers did not begin their holiday shopping until after Thanksgiving and many businesses were worried about losing revenue from a shorter shopping season. President Roosevelt was presiding over an America in the midst of The Great Depression, so in a move to help the economy he moved Thanksgiving Day up a week.

Thousands of letters poured into the White House protesting the date change and many states refused to acknowledge it. Calendar manufacturers and universities argued the date change would wreck their business routines. Many felt it was wrong to change a tradition for the sake of business. Some states followed the new date while others did not- creating two Thanksgiving Days in the nation. Public outrage finally convinced Congress to pass a law on December 26, 1941 officially making the fourth Thursday of November Thanksgiving, thereby moving it up only in those years that have five Thursdays.