In a few days, the citizens of the United States will celebrate Thanksgiving. You probably know the frequently cited history of Thanksgiving. Most likely, you know all about the story of the Pilgrims and the Native Americans and their successful harvest for which they gave thanks.
But, did you know that through the years, Thanksgiving was celebrated only sporadically until a letter writer campaigned to make it a regular national holiday.
Indeed, Sarah Josepha Hale took on the cause of Thanksgiving and championed the day of gratitude for 17 years until President Abraham Lincoln. In 1863, after receiving at least five letters from Sarah, President Lincoln proclaimed that the final Thursday in November would be a national Thanksgiving Day. It has been observed every year since in the U.S., although now Thanksgiving is on the fourth Thursday in November, which is not always the last Thursday of the month.
Hale had also written letters to Presidents Zachary Taylor, Millard Filmore, Franklin Pierce and James Buchanan. But, Lincoln was seeking a way to unite the country during the Civil War when he finally approved the holiday.
You can read more about Thanksgiving and Sarah Josepha Hale on Wikipedia and the links there.
This Thursday, as you gather around the table, enjoying turkey and dressing, remember to be thankful for a letter writer who lived some 150 years ago.
I just learned something! I had no idea that that is how Thanksgiving became a national holiday.
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