Thanksgiving

[SHRED]

A day of mourning for Native Americans along with Columbus Day.
The Pilgrims; Didn't they burn women at the stake or did that come later?

Sorry to be a downer here but I just don't understand the true historical roots of this Holiday. I only know the sugar-coated, 1960's elementary school, version of the Pilgrims and the "Explorer's of the New World".
:shrug:

[waiting for hope]

1. I do know that

President Lincoln declared it a national holiday in 1863.

Thanksgiving Day national holiday in the United States commemorating the harvest reaped by the Plymouth Colony in 1621, after a winter of great starvation and privation. In that year Gov. William Bradford proclaimed a day of thanksgiving, and the feast was shared by all the colonists and the neighboring Native Americans. Although similar observances were held locally, they were sporadic and at no set time. After the American Revolution the first national Thanksgiving Day, proclaimed by George Washington, was Nov. 26, 1789. Abraham Lincoln, urged by Sarah J. Hale, revived the custom in 1863, appointing as the date the last Thursday of November. In 1939, 1940, and 1941 Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaimed Thanksgiving the third Thursday in November. When a contradiction arose between Roosevelt's proclamation and some of those of state governors, Congress passed a joint resolution in 1941 decreeing that Thanksgiving should fall on the fourth Thursday of November. The day is observed by church services and family reunions; the customary turkey dinner is a reminder of the four wild turkeys served at the Pilgrims' first thanksgiving feast.

[seafey]

2. You asked...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2253669

[FSogol]

3. Origin of the first Thanksgiving

What has come down in American tradition as the "First Thanksgiving" was actually a harvest festival. In the spring of 1621, the colonists planted their first crops in Patuxet’s abandoned fields. While they had limited success with wheat and barley, their corn crop proved very successful, thanks to Squanto who taught them how to plant corn in hills, using fish as a fertilizer.

In October of 1621, the Pilgrims celebrated their first harvest with feasting and games, as was the custom in England, as well as prayer. The celebration served to boost the morale of the 50 remaining colonists and also to impress their allies. Among the Native People attending were Massasoit and 90 Wampanoag men.

More info at: http://www.pilgrimhall.org/1stthnks.htm


Seems nice at the beginning. Too bad this country's aspirations turned to genocide. At any rate its good to have a day to be with family and friends and reflect on all we have to be thankful for. Have a nice Thanksgiving everyone.

[seafey]

8. that story isn't true......

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2253669

[FSogol]

9. Bah humbug. Archaeological evidence and writings from the time

show that: 1. Native Americans did interact with the colonists (murders/ white men/ religious fanatics/ or what ever you want to call them).

2. A harvest fest did occur in 1621 which was attended by some Native Americans (which outnumbered white colonists 90/50 if you believe those writings.


No matter how things turned out, we are left with a Holiday whose best intent is to be thankful for what we have (our family, health, happiness) and at worst (our cash, hummers, and X-boxes). My kids and I can separate the bs we were taught with the facts. Why dis Thanksgiving?

[niallmac]

4. If you want a 'fair and balanced' Thanksgiving day history lesson try

this site:
http://www.sail1620.org/discover_feature_thanksgiving_on_the_net_roast_bull_with_cranberry_sauce_part_1.shtml

The internets are full of sites that portray Thanksgiving in a special light to advance a special interest. The site above seems to offer the history surrounding this
somewhat peculiar holiday without a religious or nationalist agenda.

[bryant69]

5. I have to say

I do like the idea of a holiday built around being grateful for what one has. I don't know if anybody else has noticed, but we are a very materialistic and envious culture; focused on getting more all the time. Nice to take a moment to be grateful.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[FSogol]

10. Same here. I'm thankful. n/t

[Lannes]

6. Today its a chance to get together with family

and be thankful for what we have.Its important to know where we came from of course but I dont believe we need to go to the other extreme and piss on everything that isnt 100% pure and uncorrupted.Doubt there will be anything left to celebrate or recognize if we do.

[ArkDem]

7. It's the turkey holocaust.....

http://www.noor.bz/sarah//videos_view.asp?FileName=basted_in_blood_broadband.wmv

[One_Life_To_Give]

11. Originally, to thank god for the harvest etc.

It was originally founded in the faith of the Pilgrims. To have a day of giving thanks. They also had days of fasting to atone for their sins when times were hard. But all things were religous for the early settlers in New England. Plimoth.org

Technically the Salem Witch Trials were conducted by the Puritans. So no the "Pilgrims" didn't burn women at the stake.