Since the first Thanksgiving was observed 401 years ago, it has become a well-known tradition that defines the holiday season. This year, many Americans may find themselves counting their pennies rather than their blessings because of turbulent politics, inflation, and other economic problems. This year, the cost of a conventional Thanksgiving dinner has increased by 20%, because to our struggling economy. The highest average cost ever recorded is actually this year. But we must never forget how fortunate we are to live in the United States as families across the country tighten their budgets and prepare for an expensive Thanksgiving and Christmas season. We are still the richest country in the world, even in hard times.
A historical overview also shows that Thanksgiving was created in difficult circumstances and that these circumstances are frequently when it is most meaningful.
The Pilgrims had no idea how difficult and bleak their future would be when they landed in America in 1620. Additionally, they had no idea how fortunate the world would be as a result of their bravery and perseverance for future generations. Their desire to worship God whatever they saw fit drove them from the safety of their homeland to the dangers of the undeveloped New World, and as a result, history was irrevocably altered. The harsh New England winter they encountered when they arrived in November claimed the lives of 50 of the initial 102 Mayflower passengers. The Pilgrims lacked the necessary wilderness survival skills, and the winter’s associated diseases showed no mercy.
But there was still hope in sight. A lucky break, or divine intervention, brought spring: a warm visit from a member of the nearby Native American tribe. To the surprise of the Pilgrims, Squanto spoke English. Without his skillful leadership, the starving arrivals would probably certainly have perished. He taught them how to hunt, cultivate food, and catch fish. He was a blessing to them. William Bradford, the colonists’ governor, requested a three-day feast of thanksgiving with Squanto and his fellow Native Americans to commemorate their first prosperous crop season. The early American heroes had been in danger of being extinct just a year earlier. They now had access to seafood, deer, a variety of fruits and vegetables, birds, and a close relationship with the Indians. And Squanto helped them get ready for the upcoming winter. They sincerely expressed their gratitude to God for their favorable turn of events. They had overcome insurmountable adversity and loss, and their fervor for religious freedom would firmly establish itself in the foundation of the future United States of America. One Pilgrim wrote, “And though it be not always so abundant as it was with us at this time, nevertheless by the grace of God, we are so far from want.” Numerous American presidents have emphasized the significance of the nation-wide Thanksgiving holiday throughout history.”It is the duty of all countries to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to accept His will, to be grateful for His bounties, and humbly to seek His protection and favor,” declared George Washington, who was the first president to make a national Thanksgiving proclamation. Abraham Lincoln later urged the country to continue celebrating Thanksgiving while being embroiled in a brutal civil war.
In an 1864 proclamation, Abraham Lincoln stated that “It has pleased Almighty God to prolong our national life another year, defending us with His guardian care against unfriendly designs from abroad and promising to us in His mercy many and signal victories over the enemy, who is of our own household.” Additionally, it has pleased our Heavenly Father to grant uncommon health to all of our people—citizens in their homes, soldiers in their camps, and sailors on the rivers and seas.He has greatly increased the number of people who are free in our country through immigration and emancipation, while also providing us with new wealth-generating opportunities and lavishly rewarding the labor of our working people in every sector of industry.Furthermore, He has been gracious to give us reasonable hopes of a final and joyful release from all our dangers and afflictions as well as to animate and inspire our minds and hearts with fortitude, courage, and resolve sufficient for the great trial of civil war into which we have been thrust by our nation’s adherence to the cause of freedom and humanity: Thus, as President of the United States, I, Abraham Lincoln, do hereby designate and set aside the last Thursday of November of the following year as a day that I desire to be observed by all of my fellow citizens, wherever they may be at the time, as a day of thanksgiving and praise to Almighty God, the merciful Creator and Ruler of the Universe.And I further advise the aforementioned fellow citizens to reverently prostrate themselves in the dirt on that occasion, from where they should offer up contrite and earnest prayers and supplications to the Great Disposer of Events for a restoration of the immeasurable blessings of peace, unity, and harmony throughout the land that it has pleased Him to designate as a home for us and for our ancestors throughout all generations.
From the Pilgrims at the first Thanksgiving to Washington and Lincoln, Americans believed that even in pressing times, we, as citizens of the United States and children of God, still have something to be thankful for. No matter our circumstance, setting aside the time to count our blessings will keep us from losing hope.The same is true today, of course. Whether in victory or loss, we all have much to give thanks for. And as President John F. Kennedy reminded us, “we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them.”
