Thanksgiving : The Holiday at the Heart of the American Experience

We all know the story of Thanksgiving. Or do we? This uniquely American holiday has a rich and little known history beyond the famous feast of 1621. In __Thanksgiving__, award-winning author Melanie Kirkpatrick journeys through four centuries of history, giving us a vivid portrait of our nation's best-loved holiday. Drawing on newspaper accounts, private correspondence, historical documents, and cookbooks, __Thanksgiving__ brings to life the full history of the holiday and what it has meant to generations of Americans. Many famous figures walk these pages—Washington, who proclaimed our first Thanksgiving as a nation amid controversy about his Constitutional power to do so; Lincoln, who wanted to heal a divided nation sick of war when he called for all Americans—North and South—to mark a Thanksgiving Day; FDR, who set off a debate on state's rights when he changed the traditional date of Thanksgiving. Ordinary Americans also play key roles in the Thanksgiving story—the New England Indians who boycott Thanksgiving as a Day of Mourning; Sarah Josepha Hale, the nineteenth-century editor and feminist who successfully campaigned for Thanksgiving to be a national holiday; the 92nd Street Y in New York City, which founded Giving Tuesday, an online charity established in the long tradition of Thanksgiving generosity. Kirkpatrick also examines the history of Thanksgiving football and, of course, Thanksgiving dinner. While the rites and rituals of the holiday have evolved over the centuries, its essence remains the same: family and friends feasting together in a spirit of gratitude to God, neighborliness, and hospitality. Thanksgiving is Americans' oldest tradition. Kirkpatrick's enlightening exploration offers a fascinating look at the meaning of the holiday that we gather together to celebrate on the fourth Thursday of November. With __Readings for Thanksgiving Day__ designed to be read aloud around the table. We all know the story of Thanksgiving. Or do we? This uniquely American holiday has a rich and little-known history beyond the famous Pilgrim feast of 1621. Melanie Kirkpatrick journeys through four centuries to craft a vivid portrait of our nation's best-loved tradition in Thanksgiving: The Holiday at the Heart of the American Experience . Drawing on newspaper accounts, official documents, private correspondence, and cookbooks, she illuminates what the holiday has meant to generations of Americans. Presidents play key parts: Washington proclaimed our first national day of Thanksgiving amid controversy over his constitutional power to do so. Lincoln aimed to heal a fractured nation when he called for all Americans to mark a Thanksgiving Day. FDR sparked a debate on states’ rights by changing the traditional date of the holiday. The story also includes the evolution of Thanksgiving dinner, how football became part of the celebration, and how Native Americans view the holiday. While the rites and rituals have evolved, the essence of Thanksgiving remains the same: family and friends feasting together in a spirit of hospitality and gratitude. Kirkpatrick's exploration of America’s oldest tradition offers a fascinating look into the meaning of the holiday we celebrate on the fourth Thursday of November. With Readings for Thanksgiving Day and historic Recipes & Bills of Fare. History,United States,Non-Fiction,Religion,Holidays,Political Science,American Government,National,Cooking,Holiday We All Know The Story Of Thanksgiving... Or Do We? Kirkpatrick Journeys Through Four Centuries Of History, Drawing On Newspaper Accounts, Private Correspondence, Historical Documents, And Cookbooks, To Bring To Life The Full History Of The Holiday And What It Has Meant To Generations Of Americans. Did You Know Washington Proclaimed Our First Thanksgiving As A Nation Amid Controversy About His Constitutional Power To Do So, And New England Indians Boycott Thanksgiving As A Day Of Mourning. You'll Also Discover The History Of Thanksgiving Football And, Of Course, Thanksgiving Dinner. The First Thanksgiving -- Before The Pilgrims -- America Discovers The Pilgrims -- George Washington Sets The Stage -- Thanksgiving's Godmother -- The Turkey Bowl -- Happy Franksgiving -- Day Of Mourning -- Helping Hands -- Turkey Day -- Afterword: Five Kernels Of Corn -- Readings For Thanksgiving Day -- Thanksgiving Recipes And Bills Of Fare. Melanie Kirkpatrick. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.