The tradition of Thanksgiving has endured
A COLUMN By Frederick Sinclair
In the fall of the year, after the full moon and an abundant harvest, we pause to reflect on the bounty of the earth and provisions to be stored away for winters slumber. Natives, in the Americas, traditionally set aside three days of celebration and reverence, in what, centuries later, would come to be celebrated on one day at the end of November. It originally was a time of tribal togetherness and gratitude. Foodstuffs were gathered and stored, meats were dried, skins were cured and the coming winter’s encampment secured. Many thanks were offered to the Great Spirit, mother earth and tribal community. It was in 1620 that Pilgrim newcomers, to what is now known as Plymouth Massachusetts, suffered a long harsh winter which tragically saw the death of many. The following season in 1621, however, showed promise for improved survival of the colony. The Wampanoag Chief; Ousamequin, initiated contact with the Pilgrims, after a period of hesitancy and time of caution, due to previous encounters with English fishermen who had captured and sold tribal members into slavery. It was the Wampanoag that arrived at the Pilgrim encampment with 5 deer, fish, nuts, berries and local bounty that was fashioned into a grand stew like feast. It was the first, joint giving of thanks and it lasted for the traditional three days.
President George Washington declared a ‘National Day of Thanks’ in 1789 and President Abraham Lincoln, in an attempt to unify the country during the Civil War, declared the ‘Day of Thanks’ in 1863. It was in 1939, that President Franklin Delano Roosevelt formalized ‘Thanksgiving Day’ to thereafter be celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November. It was not formally celebrated as ‘Thanksgiving Day’ until more than 300 years after the Wampanoag joined the Pilgrims in celebration of the bounty of harvest, friendship and a renewed hope of survival.
What was it, in the shaking of hands and hugs that warmed the hearts, hearths and fire pits of early America? What is it that has withstood the test of time and brings forth the better angels of mankind? It is the act of Thanksgiving and a Life with Love and Gratitude.
Bless this bounty that it may nourish every cell of our bodies, each to their highest and best purpose and in the unity of I AM. This blessing is placed through the grace of creation with Love and Gratitude for the nourishment there from.
We also give thanks to the plants and animals that sacrifice so that we may raise our consciousness on behalf of all. So be it; to Life.
-FPS 2025
Fred Sinclair is an Alfred writer, philosopher, and big thinker who brings a weekly perspective that readers won’t find in the mainstream media. You can contact him anytime, fpsinclair@yahoo.com
