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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 27, 2024)
EIGHT - Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, November 27, 2024 Celebrating Thanksgiving through the centuries By Annalynn Black Thanksgiving is a holiday deeply rooted in American culture, sym- bolizing gratitude, family, and feasting. The origins of Thanksgiving date back to 1621 when Pilgrims, early settlers of the Plym- outh Colony in present-day Massachusetts, held a har- vest feast after a success- ful growing season. This event is regarded as Amer- ica’s “first Thanksgiving,” although celebrations of thanks have ancient origins, with many cultures holding festivals to celebrate the harvest and give thanks for a successful bounty. The Plymouth settlers, or Pilgrims, were English Puritan separatists who sought religious freedom in the New World. Their first winter in America had been harsh, leading to the loss of many lives. According to the writings of Pilgrim Edward Winslow, in 1621, after their first successful corn harvest, Governor Wil- liam Bradford organized a celebratory feast and invit- ed the local Wampanoag tribe to join. This event, which lasted three days, is widely regarded as the first Thanksgiving. The gather- ing included the Pilgrims and about ninety Indians, including King Massasoit of the Wampanoag tribe. The feast likely featured dishes utilizing native in- gredients such as venison, various seafood, and indig- enous vegetables. The fol- lowing spring, the surviving Pilgrims forged an alliance with the Wampanoag tribe, which taught them crucial survival skills and helped them adapt to the new en- vironment. The tradition of a har- vest celebration did not become an annual event immediately. Thanks were given at different times of the year, often in a religious context, and celebrations varied from one colony to another. It wasn’t until the late 1660s that the prac- tice became more uniform, sometimes called “pub- lic days of thanksgiving,” recommended by colonial leaders after particularly bountiful harvests or other good fortunes. Life for the Pilgrims was challenging, marked by laborious farm work and the negotiation of relations with neighboring Native American tribes. Their dai- ly life centered around sur- vival, and religious obser- vance played a significant role. The concept of setting aside time to give thanks to divine providence was root- ed deeply in their religious beliefs. In the midst of the American Civil War, Pres- ident Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1863, marking it on the last Thurs- day of November. Lincoln’s decision is intended to lift the nation’s spirits and fos- ter a sense of unity. He called it a day to express gratitude “for our benefi- cent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.” This pro- nouncement followed years of campaigning by Sarah Josepha Hale, editor of “Godey’s Lady’s Book”, who passionately believed a National Day of Thanks would unify the country. During this era, Ameri- ca saw more formal Thanks- giving celebrations. The industrial revolution meant that fewer Americans lived and worked on farms, and the holiday shifted to reflect a more urban lifestyle. The meal continued to be cen- tral to the celebration, but with new innovations and food availability, the menu could include a variety of dishes, green bean casse- role and pumpkin pie for example. The tradition of “pardoning” a turkey start- ed later but symbolizes the humanitarian sentiment of the times. The date of Thanks- giving remained flexible until President Franklin D. Roosevelt set it during the Great Depression to boost retail sales. With Roos- evelt’s encouragement, in 1941 Congress official- ly designated the fourth Thursday in November as Thanksgiving Day, where it continues to stand today. He had tried to extend the Christmas shopping season by moving Thanksgiving up a week, an unpopular attempt that was derisive- ly termed “Franksgiving” according to History.com. The holiday has evolved significantly over time in the United States. Initially connected primar- ily with religion and the harvest, it’s now largely secular and focuses on fam- ily and culinary traditions. The menu usually features turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, various side dishes, and pumpkin pie - foods that are somewhat traditional but can also reflect the personal tastes and cultural backgrounds of the cooks. In recent decades, Morrow County taking applications for the WDAC Thanksgiving has contin- ued to evolve yet remains fundamentally a day for gratitude and spending time with family. Modern celebrations often extend beyond the family-centric model to include “Friends- giving,” a version of the holiday observed with friends. Parades have also be- come an integral part of the holiday in cities and towns across the United States. The most famous of these, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, began in 1924 and attracts millions of view- ers, both in person and on television. Football has also become a staple of Thanksgiving celebrations, with games played at both professional and amateur levels. Furthermore, the holi- day has been criticized and led to an increase in aware- ness and activism on behalf of Native American groups who remember the holiday as a painful reminder of colonization’s devastat- ing effects on indigenous peoples. Many Americans celebrate the day as a time of reflection and awareness as well as family gatherings and thankfulness. This enduring holiday indeed showcases the adap- tive and inclusive nature of American culture through the diverse ways it has been celebrated over the centuries. As we look to fu- ture Thanksgivings, it will undoubtedly continue to evolve, incorporating new traditions while honoring its historical roots. Correction From the story last week. Joann Dickson is the pastor of the Hopeful Saints Episcopal/Lutheran Ministry in Heppner. YOUR AD COULD BE HERE! Submit Ads heppner.net Call 541-676-9228 Email graphics@rapidserve.net We also offer design and printing services Heppner Gazette-Times Sykes PrintingQua L. Tiorum YOUR AD COULD BE HERE! Call 541-676- 9228 Or Email graphics @rapidserve.net We also offer design and printing ser vices WWW.HEPPNER.NET Submit News, Advertising & Announce- ments Letters To The Editor Send Us Photos Morrow County is livestock producers to assist cations are available online additional information or Start A New Subscription seeking applications from with expenses incurred at https://www.co.morrow. questions, contact Commit- individuals interested in due to wolf activity until or.us/bc-wdac or at the tee Chair, Dean Robinson, serving on the Wolf Depre- Friday, December 4. Appli- Bartholomew Building. For 541-980-2350. dation Advisory Commit- tee, an advisory committee to the Board of Commis- sioners. The Committee consists of seven members: two Wolf Conservation rep- resentatives, two Livestock Producer representatives, two Local Business repre- sentatives, and one County Commissioner. The current vacancies are for a Wolf Conservation representa- tive, a Livestock Producer representative and a Local Business representative. Letters of interest must be received by Friday, Decem- ber 6. Please submit letters to Valerie Ballard, vbal- lard@morrowcountyor.gov or by regular mail, Morrow County Board of Com- missioners, P.O. Box 788, Heppner, OR 97836. The purpose of the Committee is the administration of the Oregon Department of Ag- riculture’s Wolf Compen- sation and Financial Assis- tance Grant Program. The Committee meets to: dis- cuss ways to assist livestock producers with non-lethal deterrent methods; deter- mine the dollar amounts to be reimbursed to implement those deterrent methods; and compensation amounts in the event of a proven wolf depredation. Term lengths are four years. The Committee meets every other month in Heppner, except May-August, or on an as-needed basis. The Wolf Depredation Advisory Committee is still accepting applications from Heppner Gazette-Times Sykes Printing Sign Up Today! (541) 370-3093 www.bluemountainnet.com/holiday2024
