Message Forum: Re: The whole Thanksgiving thing

Re: The whole Thanksgiving thing

Posted By: Adam Bomb, on host 24.124.70.146
Date: Thursday, November 28, 2002, at 16:47:13
In Reply To: The whole Thanksgiving thing posted by Beasty on Thursday, November 28, 2002, at 15:12:54:

> This is a post from a curious British Rinkie.
>
> Over here we see references to "Thanksgiving" in the news and media and in the various american TV shows and movies we get.
>
> It is obviously a National Holiday along the lines of Easter or Christmas, though not based on religion, but started by the Founding Fathers celebrating for still being alive in a hostile foreign land having only been there a few years. (Or something like that.)
>
> So, what I'm curious about is:
>
> What makes Thanksgiving the way it is today?

The first Thanksgiving was in 1621, involving a feast with the Pilgrims (who had first settled Plymouth Colony a year ago, and had had a miserable winter) and their Indian friends (who showed up at the settlement that spring and taught them how to farm and fish).

Around the time of the American Civil War, President Lincoln made Thanksgiving a national holiday.

> What makes up the actual day of celebration for the average American?

Watch the Macy's parade in New York City, gather with family and friends, have a big dinner (turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, etc.), maybe watch some football.

> Is it a massively commercialized celebration, the way Christmas seems to be heading?

I'm obviously not adding anything new to Ellmyruh's comments in saying that to many retail stores, Thanksgiving doesn't even exist outside of their big after-Thanksgiving sales the day after.

Some commercial institutions don't even wait until Halloween is over.

> How is it worked out what day it shall be, being always on a Thursday as it is? (Like Easter Day is always a Sunday)

It's always the third or fourth Thursday in November. That's all I know.

> Have I missed the point and it really is a Religious celebration?

I doubt it's a religious holiday.

> If an American was out of the country on the day, would he still want to celebrate with a typical Thanksgiving, no matter where he was?

Every year, we see overseas army personnel on television wish their loved ones a happy Thanksgiving.

Adam "That's my story, and I'm sticking to it" Bomb

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Message:	> > This is a post from a curious British Rinkie. > > > > Over here we see references to "Thanksgiving" in the news and media and in the various american TV shows and movies we get. > > > > It is obviously a National Holiday along the lines of Easter or Christmas, though not based on religion, but started by the Founding Fathers celebrating for still being alive in a hostile foreign land having only been there a few years. (Or something like that.) > > > > So, what I'm curious about is: > > > > What makes Thanksgiving the way it is today? > > The first Thanksgiving was in 1621, involving a feast with the Pilgrims (who had first settled Plymouth Colony a year ago, and had had a miserable winter) and their Indian friends (who showed up at the settlement that spring and taught them how to farm and fish). > > Around the time of the American Civil War, President Lincoln made Thanksgiving a national holiday. > > > What makes up the actual day of celebration for the average American? > > Watch the Macy's parade in New York City, gather with family and friends, have a big dinner (turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, etc.), maybe watch some football. > > > Is it a massively commercialized celebration, the way Christmas seems to be heading? > > I'm obviously not adding anything new to Ellmyruh's comments in saying that to many retail stores, Thanksgiving doesn't even exist outside of their big after-Thanksgiving sales the day after. > > Some commercial institutions don't even wait until Halloween is over. > > > How is it worked out what day it shall be, being always on a Thursday as it is? (Like Easter Day is always a Sunday) > > It's always the third or fourth Thursday in November. That's all I know. > > > Have I missed the point and it really is a Religious celebration? > > I doubt it's a religious holiday. > > > If an American was out of the country on the day, would he still want to celebrate with a typical Thanksgiving, no matter where he was? > > Every year, we see overseas army personnel on television wish their loved ones a happy Thanksgiving. > > Adam "That's my story, and I'm sticking to it" Bomb
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