(A brief history of the American Thanksgiving with discussion questions for small groups/Sunday school classes, etc.)
Date Observed: 4th Thursday in November (U.S.A.)
Origin: 1621, Plymouth, Massachusetts
Thanksgiving Day as a legal national holiday in America only dates back to the mid-twentieth century, but its roots go back much further than that. In December 1621 Governor William Bradford proclaimed the first American day of thanksgiving. It was a great feast celebrated jointly with about 90 natives, and took place outside on long tables. An early account of the incident, written by colonist Edward Winslow, appears below:
“Our harvest gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling, that so we might after a special manner rejoice together after we had gathered the fruit of our labors. They four in one day killed as much fowl as, with a little help beside, served the company almost a week. At which time, amongst other recreations, we exercised our arms, Many of the Indians coming amongst us, and among the rest their greatest King Massasoit, with some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted, and they went out and killed five deer, which they brought to the plantation and bestowed on our governor, and upon the captain and others. And although it be not always so plentiful as it was this time with us, yet by the goodness of God, we are so far from want that we often wish you partakers of our plenty.”
The next year they did not have a thanksgiving day. However, the following year there was a day of thanksgiving celebrated for rain that came during a severe drought. In 1676 Charleston, MA had a day of thanksgiving (June 29), and during the Revolutionary War there were some days set aside for the same purpose. George Washington planned for a national day of thanksgiving in 1789, but it was opposed by Thomas Jefferson and never caught on too much. But in the 1800s many Americans, seeking to preserve the stories of our history, drew much attention to the pilgrim feast and national interest brought it to the attention of the White House. In 1863, Abraham Lincoln brought it from a regional celebration to a national holiday:
“I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due Him for such singular deliverances and blessing, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to this tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyments of peace, harmony, tranquility and Union.”
For about 75 years each U.S. president would annually proclaim that the last Thursday in November would be a national day of thanksgiving. But it did not become a legal holiday until Franklin D. Roosevelt moved it to the 4th Thursday of November in 1939. This was done to allow more time for the Christmas shopping season, which would increase revenue. Two years later it was approved that way by Congress, and remains the same to this day.
Now you know the history of Thanksgiving Day, but what do the Scriptures have to say about the principle of giving thanks?
- “Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts.” (1 Chronicles 16:8-9)
- “I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.” (Psalm 7:17)
- “I will give thanks to him in song.” (Psalm 28:7)
- “These things I remember as I pour out my soul how I used to go with the multitude, leading the procession to the house of God, with shouts of joy and thanksgiving among the festive throng.” (Psalm 42:4)
- “I will praise God’s name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.” (Psalm 69:30)
- “Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.” (Psalm 95:2)
- “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” (Psalm 100:4)
- “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good…” (Psalm 107:1)
- “Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted.” (Isaiah 12:4)
- “Nor should there be any obscenity, foolish talk or course joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.” (Ephesians 5:4)
- “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” (Philippians 4:6)
- “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thes. 5:18)
- “I urge you then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for all kings and those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” (1 Timothy 2:1-2)
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Discussion Questions:
- How are President Lincoln’s ideas of Thanksgiving Day similar or different from current attitudes?
- What can you do to promote an attitude of appreciation in your home?
- What can you do for others who are more needy than yourself? Not just at the holidays but also year round?
- Is Thanksgiving Day a religious holiday? Civic? If religious, then whose religion is it and under what authority is it established? If civic, then how should the religious community respond to it?
- What are some of your own Thanksgiving celebrations?
