Happy Thanksgiving!

Here’s your historical trivia question for the day: which president established Thanksgiving as a national holiday? (By the way, there wasn’t an American president when the Pilgrims celebrated).

If you said Abraham Lincoln, you’re correct. Lincoln established the last Thursday of November as a national day of thanksgiving. Prior to Mr. Lincoln, different states and communities often had a day of thanksgiving in the autumn but not all on the same day. Leaders – George Washington included – made proclamations for days of thanksgiving after great victories or challenging events. However, it wasn’t until 1941 and President Franklin D. Roosevelt that Thanksgiving became an official holiday on the 4th Thursday of November each year!

And here’s your one sentence reminder about the very first Thanksgiving in America: The Pilgrims arrived in Cape Cod region (Massachusetts) in 1620, survived an extremely difficult winter, received help from the Wampanoag tribe, and in the autumn of 1621 decided to have days of celebration and thanksgiving. (I think next year, we’ll cover the Pilgrims and their “thanksgiving feast” in detail because the real history is fascinating!)

Now the history facts are concluded and I thought I’d write a “personal” note. Someone asked me to list five things I’m thankful for. There are so many blessings it’s challenging to list only five, but here’s what I’m especially grateful for this year.

1. My Faith

2. My Family

3. Heritage of America (and getting to share this history through writing and living history)

4. Life’s Challenges – building character through all the difficulties

5. Opportunities to Serve – though teaching, volunteering, being a friend, or helping at home.

What five things are you grateful for?

Thanksgiving Blessings –

Your Historian,

Miss Sarah