The Origin of Thanksgiving
     Though it was not called Thanksgiving at the time, what we recognize as the first Thanksgiving feast was celebrated in 1621 by the pilgrims of the Plymouth colony along with  about 90 Wampanoag Indians. The Pilgrims had suffered through a devastating winter in which nearly half their number died. Without the help of the Indians, all would have perished.

    After the first harvest, Governor William Bradford proclaimed a day of thanksgiving and prayer to God. The food, which was eaten outdoors, included corn, geese, turkeys, ducks, eel, clams,leeks, plums, cod, bass, barley, venison and corn bread.  The feast lasted 3 days. Though the exact date is unknown, the feast clearly took place in late autumn.
    In 1623, a period of drought was answered by colonists with a proclamation of prayer and fasting. This prayer and fasting was changed to another thanksgiving celebration when rains came during the prayers. Later that year, Governor Bradford proclaimed November 29 as a time for pilgrims to gather and "listen to ye pastor and render thanksgiving to ye Almighty God for all His blessings."
    Throughout American history, there were many thanksgiving proclamations and celebrations. In 1789 George Washington proclaimed a National Thanksgiving Day on the last Thursday in November, in honor of the new United States Constitution. Thomas Jefferson, the third president, later discontinued it, calling it "a kingly practice." In 1863, Sarah Josepha Hale, the author of the poem "Mary Had a Little Lamb"convinced Abraham Lincoln to proclaim Thanksgiving a national holiday. For the date she chose the last Thursday in November because of
Washington's proclamation. In 1941, it was officially changed to the fourth Thursday in November.  All of the early Thanksgiving celebrations had one thing in common. The thanksgiving was directed toward God. It did not matter that many had very hard times. The people knew that God was their creator and provider and that all good things ultimately came from Him.

Links to Thanksgiving Sites:
 http://homearts.com/depts/toc/thanksc2.htm


 http://www.rdthanksgiving.com

 http://www.nyctourist.com/macys_menu.htm

Thanksgiving Foods: 
Sallet of Spinage, Seethed Lobster, Goose with a Pudding, Boyled Turkie, Fryed Coney (Rabbit), Indian Pudding, Fricase of Cod, Roasted Duck, Stewed Pompion, Roasted Venison, Savory Pudding of Hominy, Charger of Cheese & Fruit, Ciderkin


                 Things to be Thankful for:
                                  
   -Nature             -Faith              -Mind & Body