November 19, 2012 (Monday)
Many people in the United States trace the Thanksgiving holiday back to 1621, when, in Plymouth, Massachusetts, the Pilgrims had a feast and offered thanks for a good harvest. Two years later, an official day of Thanksgiving was declared by the Governor. Periodic proclamations for days of Thanksgiving were made until President George Washington proclaimed the first nation-wide thanksgiving celebration in America marking November 26, 1789, “as a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favours of Almighty God”.
The final Thursday in November had become the customary date in most U.S. states by the beginning of the 19th century. A law was passed in December, 1941, making the Fourth Thursday of each November the National Day of Thanksgiving.
This is Thanksgiving Week. Traditionally it is a day for families to get together for a great big meal, usually featuring roast turkey, but many other delicious dishes, almost always including pumpkin pie.
My family has informed me that almost everyone will be here in Rockport for Thanksgiving Day. If everyone could be here, there would be 21, but 4 will not be able to come, so there will be 17, if all goes as planned. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone.
