The Evolution of Thanksgiving: From Colonial Tradition to Federal Holiday

Tracing the Roots of an American Tradition.

Thanksgiving, a day ingrained in American culture and history, has evolved significantly since its inception. Its journey from a religious observance to a federally recognized holiday reflects the nation’s growth and changing values.

Early Celebrations and Presidential Proclamations

The history of Thanksgiving in America dates back to the early English colonists. In 1619, at the Berkeley Hundred plantation in Virginia, a day of thanksgiving to Almighty God was ordained. However, the popular narrative often credits the Pilgrims of Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1621 with the tradition of feasting and giving thanks for a bountiful harvest.

By the honourable Gurdon Saltonstall, Esq; Governour of His Majesty’s Colony of Connecticut in New-England, a proclamation for a publick thanksgiving… New-London: Printed by Timothy Green, printer to his honour the governour and company, 1721. Printed Ephemera: Three Centuries of Broadsides and Other Printed Ephemera. Rare Book & Special Collections Division

In his first presidential proclamation, George Washington designated November 26, 1789, as a Day of National Thanksgiving, urging Americans to acknowledge God’s providence and blessings. Similarly, during challenging times like the closure of Boston Harbor and the Massachusetts Fast Day in 1774, days of thanksgiving and fasting were declared to commemorate both fortune and adversity.

The Push for a National Holiday

In the mid-19th century, Sarah Josepha Hale, a prominent writer and editor, championed the cause of a national Thanksgiving day. Her persistent advocacy, including a direct appeal to President Lincoln, eventually led to Lincoln’s 1863 Thanksgiving Proclamation following the Union victory at Gettysburg. This proclamation and a subsequent one in 1864 set the precedent for an annual fall Thanksgiving celebration.

Legislation and Tradition

The tradition was further cemented when Franklin D. Roosevelt, for economic reasons, chose the third Thursday of November for Thanksgiving from 1939 to 1941. However, in 1941, Congress passed legislation, signed by Roosevelt, establishing Thanksgiving Day on the fourth Thursday of November and declaring it a Federal Holiday.

Thanksgiving has transcended its origins to become a symbol of American culture and unity. From colonial observances to national holiday, it reflects the country’s journey through times of hardship and prosperity. Today serves as a day for Americans to gather, reflect, and express gratitude, continuing a tradition that has evolved over centuries.