There are several countries that celebrate a holiday where giving thanks is
the central theme. However, it is safe to say that “Thanksgiving,” as we
know it, is a uniquely American holiday. The famous story of a communal
feast between Pilgrims and the indigenous people celebrating the bounty of
the land is well known. The first thanksgiving tells a story of survival;the
pilgrims endured a perilous ocean journey, struggled to provide for
themselves, and stood ready to face their first winter in their new home.
Their ocean voyage was extremely dangerous and the passengers faced
terrible disease and death. Upon landing, the conditions they encountered
were equally harsh. The settlers had to hunt and forage as they worked
expeditiously to build a fort and settlement. Eventually, over time, the
community found stability and our nation's future was secured through
steady growth. While the true history of Thanksgiving remains a little
murky, what is clear is that the Plymouth colonists and the Wampanoag
tribe shared the abundance of an autumn harvest with a feast in 1621. This
unique gathering is widely acknowledged to be the first Thanksgiving
celebration in the original thirteen colonies.
Over the following 242 years, individual colonies, and then states, held
similar celebrations. Still, Thanksgiving Day was not an official holiday. In
1863, during the height of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln
decided that a national day of giving thanks would be beneficial to
everyone. Thus, Lincoln issued a directive that a “Thanksgiving Day” was
to be held each November. Eventually, in the 1930’s President Franklin
Roosevelt designated the fourth Thursday in November as the official
Thanksgiving holiday.
Even hundreds of years later, we can learn so much from understanding
the history of this wonderful family holiday. In the midst of great struggle
and suffering, both the pilgrims and Lincoln realized the importance of
pausing to give thanks for what we have. As the adage goes, living through
rough times is often a necessary part of being able to truly appreciate the
good times. As we embark upon Thanksgiving 2025, we all have much to
be thankful for; and like those early colonists and Lincoln, we also face
struggles of our own which help us better appreciate what we have.
On a personal level, I am thankful for my family, my friends, and our
beloved Clarkstown community. I love my family traditions, which are
cherished and special. Personally, I am delighted that my three children will
gather as a family to spend a day together. I am thankful for our military,
first responders, and police who stand in harm’s way to serve and protect
us both at home and abroad. Finally, I am thankful for all the gifts that a
gracious God has bestowed upon us as individuals, as a town, and as a
nation.
My wish, in fact my prayer, is that this Thanksgiving will be a time of
renewal and gratitude for all of us, individually and collectively, as a
community and nation.
Wishing a happy and Blessed Thanksgiving to all!
