Thanksgiving was the third National Holiday declared by American government and its history is far more than mere trivia and fun facts. It is unique and truly fascinating, and dare I say it, inspiring! These days we the people are far removed from the holiday’s origins. Due to some excellent marketing in the mid 1800’s, we now all believe the holiday is a commemoration of an event that happened in Plymouth in 1621 that consisted of a great feast between the Pilgrims and Wampanoag.
Reality?
Fun fact: Not so much.
I’m not saying there was not a feast with Pilgrims and Wampanoag in Plymouth in 1621. There is historical documentation that this happened.
What I AM saying is that the story of how Thanksgiving came to be a National Holiday has little to nothing to do with that particular event. The true story is actually pretty amazing, definitely heartwarming, and for sure something every American should know.
Modern Learning
These days we like our information bite size and social media sharable, amirite? So here, for your enjoyment… are twelve bits of researched trivia and fun facts about the very real and true History of Thanksgiving as it became a National Holiday. Be awed… Be amazed… Be inspired!!! Be the life of the party and share away my friends….
12 Claims to the First American Thanksgiving
Yes. Twelve!! Twelve different places insist that they hosted the first American Thanksgiving. Plymouth is just one of them. And YES! I am indeed writing a book about them every one of them. But research takes time (At least good research does). So consider signing up for our newsletter and YOU will be amongst the first to find out when it is getting published and have access to it! (I’m guessing it will be ready in time for Thanksgiving 2022).
Thanksgiving Carols
Fun Fact: It was originally called ‘The New England Boys Song about Thanksgiving Day‘. That’s why it was in Charlie Brown’s Thanksgiving special and not the Christmas one.
Another fun fact: Guess what else? It was originally to GRANDFATHER’S house, not grandmother’s.
The original piece had twelve stanzas, though only four are typically included in the song. It’s an American original!
Over the river, and through the wood,
To Grandfather’s house we go;
the horse knows the way to carry the sleigh
through the white and drifted snow.
Over the river, and through the wood,
to Grandfather’s house away!
We would not stop for doll or top,
for ’tis Thanksgiving Day.
Over the river, and through the wood—
oh, how the wind does blow!
It stings the toes and bites the nose
as over the ground we go.
Over the river, and through the wood—
and straight through the barnyard gate,
We seem to go extremely slow,
it is so hard to wait!
Over the river, and through the wood—
When Grandmother sees us come,
She will say, “O, dear, the children are here,
bring a pie for everyone.”
Over the river, and through the wood—
now Grandmother’s cap I spy!
Hurrah for the fun! Is the pudding done?
Hurrah for the pumpkin pie!
The following verses appear in a “long version”:
Over the river, and through the wood,
with a clear blue winter sky,
The dogs do bark, and children hark,
as we go jingling by.
Over the river, and through the wood,
to have a first-rate play.
Hear the bells ring, “Ting-a-ling-ding!”,
Hurrah for Thanksgiving Day!
Over the river, and through the wood,
no matter for winds that blow;
Or if we get the sleigh upset
into a bank of snow
Over the river, and through the wood,
to see little John and Ann;
We will kiss them all, and play snow-ball
and stay as long as we can.
Over the river, and through the wood,
trot fast, my dapple-gray!
Spring over the ground like a hunting-hound!
For ’tis Thanksgiving Day.
Over the river, and through the wood,
Old Jowler hears our bells.
He shakes his pow, with a loud bow-wow,
and thus the news he tells.
The First Thanksgiving in Plymouth in 1621
So this is a WHOLE other blog post…or perhaps a book (did I mention I’m working on that) but here’s a couple little nuggets to get your brain started.
Basically, the account by Edward Winslow turned up in the 1800’s and was published in a book called Mourt’s Relation: A Journal of the Pilgrims at Plymouth. From this singular account, the Thanksgiving story of America as we know it today grows… Not sure if that qualifies as trivia or fun fact but it is a fact, none the less.
Thanksgiving becomes a National Holiday
I am a big fan of Thanksgiving. Huge!
I look forward to my family and prayer and activities because there is no gift giving, no expectations, just a get together to enjoy each other’s company and give thanks for all we have been blessed with as individuals, as a family, and as a nation.
And the food is DIVINE!
Another fun fact: Turns out that is exactly what was at the crux of the campaign to make this a national American holiday.
Learn a little bit more about Sarah Josepha Hale
I know right? It wasn’t what I was taught either.
Now, I’m still in the throws of the research but near as I can tell, the idea of the Plymouth even being dubbed the ‘First Thanksgiving’ begins in the mid to late 1800’s but doesn’t really catch on until the early 1900’s. The first evidence of the Thanksgiving Tableau we all did in elementary school is in the early 1900’s but it is actually a little later that we see the inclusion of ‘Indians’.
THE BEST BOOK EVER ON THANKSGIVING
OK So my kids book isn’t published QUITE yet but it is under contract and under way! Please consider joining the email list and I will let you know the second it is available. (Probably August 2021) Sure to be a holiday classic like Twas the Night Before Christmas or Tasha Tudor’s A Time To Keep, it’s the story of how Thanksgiving became a National Holiday in America. I’m SO EXCITED TO share this book! Thrilled!!
SIGN UP for my email right here right now.
Sarah Josepha Hale and Thanksgiving
Gotta love that Sarah Josepha Hale!
HUGE Fun fact: Patriotic single mother of five in the 1800’s, homeschooled them all into college, was a part of saving Bunker Hill Monument, Mount Vernon, was the first female editor in America, was a prolific writer, and campaigned to make Thanksgiving a National Holiday!
Is your jaw on the floor?
Mine was too when I first learned all about her. I love her so much.
Download a Free Thanksgiving Table Talker Game
Seriously? How do you not love this? America…food…inspriation…food…love….
It’s simple.
Thanksgiving is a holiday meant as one giant nationwide group hug!
I’m HERE FOR THIS!
We need this story out in the world today as much as we needed it then! Sarah, you are an American original!
More Quotes by Sarah Josepha Hale
Roosevelt’s Thanksgiving Debacle
Yeah so this actually happened. Basically, it goes like this. 1939 had five Thursdays in November. A bunch of merchants petitioned the President to move Thanksgiving from the LAST Thursday of the month to the FOURTH Thursday of the month so people would have more time to shop for Christmas.
He did and chaos ensued.
The White House was inundated with complaints about school vacation schedules, all the football folks were SUPER mad and that was nothing compared to what the calendar companies had to say.
CHAOS!
Well, half the states celebrated on one Thursday, half on the other, and two states celebrated Thanksgiving twice! (My kind of people)
So, congress decided there would be no more shenanigans such as this and The Senate and The House passed a joint resolution declaring the fourth Thursday of November to be the one and only legal American Thanksgiving Day.
BOOM. DONE.
Book Me to Speak: How Thanksgiving Became a National Holiday
Thanksgiving Dessert
Oh yeah, another American original for sure! I have all kinds of fun facts about pumpkins! Pumpkins are so amazingingly American, it’s beyond fun fact status!
American Pumpkin Stuff and Autumn Awesomeness
Thanksgiving Themes
Regardless of the claims to where the first Thanksgiving took place, regardless of religious preference and other influences on this unique American holiday, there are three consistent themes that have been there is the beginning. These transcend time and cultures and all other ways humans think to divide themselves.
This is why American Thanksgiving is my favorite. Friends and Family. Food. Giving Thanks.
Final Notes
American Thanksgiving is absolutely the most overlooked and underappreciated holiday. It is misunderstood and misused for sales, sports, protests and everything else other than what it was meant to be and declared by government to be.
This Thanksgiving share some knowledge. Give ’em pumpkin to talk about….
Stay In Touch and get a Free Thanksgiving Game
We at This Family live for such things as history and holidays. There is always a reason to learn and celebrate. We hope you dig this kind of thing too and we invite you to be a part of it!
Sign up below and get access to a free downloadable Table Talker game for your Thanksgiving table.
PLUS…. I have a book coming out in 2021 about THIS VERY THING and I hope you will want to read it! Sign up to be amongst the first to receive information on the launch!
Pin It For Later!
All these images are pin- able and shareable on social media. We hope you will post and share and start spreading little bite size nuggets of fascinating Thanksgiving trivia. We know you like beautiful Pinterest images, so here you go! Happy Thanksgiving! We’re grateful for you!
