Thanksgiving, a cherished holiday in the United States, is synonymous with family gatherings, bountiful feasts, and expressions of gratitude. However, the exact date of Thanksgiving hasn’t always been the fixed point on the calendar it is today. Unraveling the story of how Thanksgiving landed on the fourth Thursday of November requires a journey through American history, presidential proclamations, and even a bit of retail-driven controversy.
The Early Days of Thanksgiving: A Patchwork of Dates
The concept of Thanksgiving predates the formal holiday we celebrate now. Harvest festivals and days of prayerful thanks were observed by various groups throughout early American history.
These early observances were often localized and sporadic, linked to specific events or successful harvests. There was no national, standardized date.
Some communities celebrated after a particularly good harvest, others after a military victory. The notion of a single, unified Thanksgiving day was still a distant idea.
Even after the establishment of the United States, the tradition remained decentralized. States might declare their own days of Thanksgiving, often on different dates.
The Influence of Sarah Josepha Hale
A pivotal figure in the movement toward a national Thanksgiving holiday was Sarah Josepha Hale. This writer and editor, best known for penning the nursery rhyme “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” tirelessly campaigned for decades to establish a national day of Thanksgiving.
Hale believed that a unified Thanksgiving would foster a sense of national unity and shared identity, especially during a period of growing sectionalism.
Starting in 1827, Hale used her position as editor of Godey’s Lady’s Book to advocate for a national Thanksgiving holiday, writing countless editorials and sending letters to presidents and other influential figures.
Her persistence and unwavering dedication would eventually pay off, but it would take considerable time and effort.
Lincoln and the First National Thanksgiving Proclamation
The Civil War was a turning point in the establishment of Thanksgiving as a national holiday. In 1863, amidst the turmoil of the war, President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation declaring a national day of Thanksgiving to be observed on the last Thursday of November.
Lincoln’s proclamation was partially influenced by Hale’s persistent lobbying efforts, but also reflected a desire to unite the nation during a time of deep division.
The proclamation explicitly called for Americans to express gratitude for the blessings of peace and prosperity, even in the midst of conflict. It was a powerful message of hope and resilience.
This 1863 proclamation marked a significant step toward establishing a consistent, national Thanksgiving holiday. It set a precedent that would be followed by subsequent presidents.
Why the Last Thursday?
While Lincoln’s proclamation established a national Thanksgiving, it’s worth noting that he chose the last Thursday of November, not the fourth. The selection of the last Thursday wasn’t arbitrary; it likely reflected existing regional customs and harvest schedules.
The last Thursday of November was already a popular choice for Thanksgiving celebrations in many northern states.
It also provided a reasonable timeframe following the harvest season, allowing farmers and communities to gather and celebrate.
However, the “last Thursday” designation would later become a point of contention.
The Roosevelt Years and the “Franksgiving” Controversy
For decades after Lincoln’s proclamation, the last Thursday of November remained the established date for Thanksgiving. However, this changed during the presidency of Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
In 1939, with the nation still struggling through the Great Depression, retailers approached President Roosevelt with a request to move Thanksgiving forward by one week.
The rationale was that moving Thanksgiving to the second to last Thursday of November would create a longer Christmas shopping season, potentially boosting the economy.
Roosevelt, recognizing the potential economic benefits, agreed to the change and issued a proclamation moving Thanksgiving to the fourth Thursday of November.
This decision, however, proved to be highly controversial.
Division and Discontent: The “Franksgiving” Debacle
The change was met with widespread resistance and confusion. Many Americans were deeply attached to the traditional date of Thanksgiving and viewed Roosevelt’s decision as an unwelcome intrusion into a cherished holiday.
The move became derisively known as “Franksgiving,” a portmanteau of “Franklin” and “Thanksgiving,” highlighting the unpopularity of the change.
The country became divided. Some states, particularly those in the Northeast, refused to recognize the new date and continued to celebrate Thanksgiving on the last Thursday of November.
Other states followed Roosevelt’s lead, while some remained undecided, creating a patchwork of Thanksgiving observances across the nation.
This period of divided Thanksgiving observances lasted for two years, from 1939 to 1941. It was a time of considerable confusion and debate.
The Economic Impact: Did it Work?
The intended economic benefits of “Franksgiving” were never clearly realized. While retailers hoped for a boost in sales, the shortened shopping season didn’t necessarily translate into increased spending.
The confusion and controversy surrounding the date change may have actually dampened consumer enthusiasm.
Furthermore, the divided Thanksgiving observances made it difficult for businesses to plan marketing campaigns and promotions.
Ultimately, the economic arguments in favor of the change proved to be less compelling than the cultural and historical significance of the traditional date.
The Congressional Resolution: Solidifying the Fourth Thursday
The “Franksgiving” experiment proved to be a public relations disaster for Roosevelt. Faced with widespread discontent and little evidence of economic benefit, he eventually relented.
In 1941, Congress passed a joint resolution officially establishing Thanksgiving as the fourth Thursday of November. President Roosevelt signed the resolution into law on December 26, 1941.
This congressional resolution finally settled the matter, establishing a single, national date for Thanksgiving that has remained unchanged ever since.
The resolution also included a provision ensuring that Thanksgiving would always fall at least one week before Christmas, addressing concerns about the encroachment of the Christmas shopping season.
The 1941 resolution put an end to the “Franksgiving” controversy and restored a sense of unity and consistency to the Thanksgiving holiday.
Why the Fourth Thursday Stuck
The choice of the fourth Thursday, rather than reverting to the last Thursday, was likely a compromise. After two years of celebrating on the fourth Thursday, some people had become accustomed to the new date.
The fourth Thursday also provided a reasonable balance between the harvest season and the Christmas shopping season.
More importantly, the congressional resolution provided a sense of finality and certainty that had been lacking during the “Franksgiving” era.
The establishment of the fourth Thursday as the official date of Thanksgiving marked the end of a turbulent chapter in the holiday’s history.
Thanksgiving Today: A Day of Gratitude and Tradition
Today, Thanksgiving is firmly established as a cherished American holiday, celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November.
The holiday is a time for families and friends to gather, share a meal, and express gratitude for the blessings in their lives.
While the specific traditions and customs may vary from family to family, the core values of gratitude, community, and togetherness remain central to the Thanksgiving experience.
The story of how Thanksgiving came to be celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November is a reminder that even the most cherished traditions can be subject to change and debate. It also underscores the importance of cultural and historical context in understanding the evolution of our holidays.
The legacy of Sarah Josepha Hale, Abraham Lincoln, and even Franklin Delano Roosevelt (despite the “Franksgiving” controversy) all played a role in shaping the Thanksgiving holiday we know and love today. The holiday’s evolution demonstrates a fascinating intersection of social, political, and economic forces shaping American traditions.
When was Thanksgiving originally celebrated in the United States?
Thanksgiving’s origins are complex and not tied to a single event. Early celebrations of thanksgiving were sporadic, often tied to specific harvests or military victories and proclaimed by local or state authorities. These early observances varied greatly in date and duration.
The idea of a regular, national Thanksgiving holiday took root over time, with figures like Sarah Josepha Hale advocating for a unified day of thanks. Before becoming a nationally recognized holiday, Thanksgiving celebrations occurred on different dates throughout the states, usually in November, but lacking a consistent day.
Who played a significant role in establishing a national Thanksgiving holiday?
Sarah Josepha Hale, the editor of “Godey’s Lady’s Book,” is widely credited with spearheading the movement for a national Thanksgiving Day. For decades, she wrote editorials and lobbied presidents, urging them to proclaim a national day of thanksgiving and prayer. Her persistent efforts gradually swayed public opinion and political will.
Her unwavering dedication finally paid off during the Civil War. Recognizing the unifying potential of a national holiday, President Abraham Lincoln, in 1863, heeded Hale’s call and proclaimed the last Thursday of November as a national day of Thanksgiving.
Why was the last Thursday of November originally chosen for Thanksgiving?
President Lincoln chose the last Thursday of November in 1863 for a combination of practical and symbolic reasons. It was a time of year when the harvest was generally complete, offering a natural connection to the theme of gratitude for the year’s bounty. Also, it was positioned well before Christmas, allowing for a distinct holiday celebration.
Additionally, the late November date was seen as a suitable time to foster national unity during the divisive Civil War. Lincoln likely aimed to create a shared experience and sentiment of thankfulness that could transcend regional differences and promote a sense of national identity during a difficult period.
What prompted the change from the last Thursday to the fourth Thursday of November?
The shift from the last Thursday to the fourth Thursday wasn’t about changing the spirit of Thanksgiving, but rather about addressing economic concerns during the Great Depression. In 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt noticed that November had five Thursdays, leaving a shorter shopping period between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Retailers believed that a longer Christmas shopping season would boost the economy, so Roosevelt moved Thanksgiving to the second to last Thursday of November to create additional shopping days. This decision was controversial, creating confusion and division across the country, with some states adhering to the traditional date and others following Roosevelt’s proclamation.
When did the change to the fourth Thursday become official?
The “Franksgiving” controversy, as it was dubbed, lasted for two years, with divided opinions and inconsistent observance across the nation. In 1941, Congress passed a law officially establishing the fourth Thursday of November as the permanent date for Thanksgiving.
President Roosevelt signed the bill into law on December 26, 1941, putting an end to the debate and ensuring a unified national Thanksgiving Day. The law also stipulated that if November has five Thursdays, Thanksgiving would still be celebrated on the fourth Thursday, regardless of whether it was the last Thursday or not.
How did the public react to the initial change in Thanksgiving date?
The initial change by President Roosevelt was met with significant resistance and confusion. Many people were attached to the traditional last-Thursday date, viewing it as a break from established customs and traditions. This led to a fractured holiday experience across the nation.
The media dubbed the situation “Franksgiving,” and there was widespread debate and even humor about the altered date. Some states and businesses refused to acknowledge the change, choosing to celebrate on the traditional last Thursday, resulting in a period of uncertainty and inconsistency for the holiday.
What is the significance of Thanksgiving being on the fourth Thursday of November?
The fourth Thursday designation provides a consistent and predictable date for Thanksgiving, ensuring uniformity across the United States. This consistency allows families and communities to plan and celebrate the holiday together, fostering a sense of national unity and shared tradition.
Furthermore, the fourth Thursday provides a buffer before the Christmas shopping season officially kicks off, giving people space to focus on gratitude and family before the commercial aspects of the year-end holidays take over. This balance helps preserve the original intent and spirit of Thanksgiving as a time for reflection and appreciation.