Here is a piece I wrote for a newsletter

The “First Thanksgiving” was actually a harvest festival that occurred in October, 1621. There is no evidence that this ritual was ever repeated by the very religious Pilgrims. In fact, thanksgiving was an almost everyday experience among these people who thanked their God for their many blessings during their hardships and survival times in the new world.

As the colonies grew and declared their independence. Thanksgiving Day was not yet a national event. The Governor of each state decided when and if a day of Thanksgiving would be held. President Lincoln proclaimed Thanksgiving a national holiday and every President since have proclaimed a Thanksgiving Day. In 1939 President Franklin D. Roosevelt moved Thanksgiving Day from its traditional last Thursday to the third Thursday in November to expand the holiday shopping season.

Finally, in 1941 Congress declared the fourth Thursday in November as Thanksgiving Day. The Thanksgiving Celebration is perhaps the oldest recognized symbol of our country; it is a part of our heritage known world-wide and represents “Americanism” in the hearts of many immigrated citizens.

So as we pause to thank our Lord and remember those early settlers, be inspired to carry on our traditions of sharing His abundant gifts with other multinational Americans.

Ken Scheffel