Image: sxc.hu

Yes, the first Thanksgiving, from which this  holiday of thankfulness originated, took place in Plymouth, MA.

However, it wasn’t celebrated nationally until Sarah Josepha Hale, the editor of “Godey’s Lady’s Book,” decided that Thanksgiving should become a national holiday. She initiated a campaign to have a day in late fall set aside for us to give thanks for our harvests and many blessings.

From 1846 to 1863, she wrote letters to presidents, governors, and any influential people she could think of. Many editorials appeared in her magazine, urging the recognition of this celebration as a holiday.

Finally President Abraham Lincoln listened to Mrs. Hale. He decided that a day of thanksgiving in autumn also might help create harmony in the nation midst the Civil War.

In 1863, he declared Thanksgiving Day would be the last Thursday in November.  In 1941, Congress passed a resolution which changed Thanksgiving from the last Thursday in November to the fourth Thursday of that month. Since then, the fourth Thursday, which sometimes is the last one, has officially been Thanksgiving.

Post from: Blisstree

Thanksgiving Becomes a National Holiday

Do you have favorite books with a Thanksgiving or harvest theme?  These might be books from your childhood (we often seek out and read these to our children) or books your youngsters enjoy.

• They might include stories about the first Thanksgiving and the Pilgrims.
• The Mayflower adventure
• Sarah Josepha Hale and her efforts to have Thanksgiving acclaimed a national holiday.
• Thanksgiving customs.
• Thanksgiving menus and recipes
• Native Americans around during Pilgrim times
• What we should be thankful for

You may like to check out some Fun and Fact Books About Thanksgiving & Harvest Season that I’ve come across.

What are your favorite books about this holiday?

(Amazon image)

Post from: Blisstree

Favorite Thanksgiving Books