Message from Mayor Madden: Autumn Harvest or Thanksgiving

Early English settlers brought the idea of Autumn Harvest Thanksgiving to North America. Typically, the celebration is held at the end of the harvest season with a big meal called the harvest supper, prayers of thanks along with a bountiful harvest and a termination of the work involved during the growing and harvesting of the crops.  

The most widely acknowledged event of the first Thanksgiving was between the Wampanoag Indians and the recently arrived English Colonists during the Autumn Harvest in 1621 at Plymouth, Massachusetts. However the best documented account was from a letter written by an English Settler, Edward Winslow on December 11, 1621. He wrote this letter to a friend who just arrived from England carrying supplies to the New World. In the letter, he details the types of food that both the Indians and the colonists shared from the harvest. They also shared in one another’s traditions and folkways. This was the culmination of all the hard work to be enjoyed by all who participated in the harvest. 

During the Revolutionary War, Congress declared this day as a National Day of Thanksgiving in 1777. America (the United Colonies) called for this National Day to also celebrate the Continental Army’s victory over the British in the battle of Saratoga. In 1789, George Washington again called for a national day of thanks to coincide on the last Thursday of November to commemorate the end of the Revolutionary War. In addition this was the time to also extol and praise the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. This was important to Washington so as to start the tradition of giving thanks as a nation. 

Of the Founders of the Constitution, our third President, Thomas Jefferson refused to endorse this tradition in 1801. He absolutely despised the event. He felt that to support Thanksgiving meant supporting a state-sponsored religion which is a faith-based tradition in the spirit of Christianity. He was a vocal proponent of a clear separation of Church and State.  

Later, during the War between the States (the Civil War), both the Confederacy and the Union issued Proclamations to commemorate “Thanksgiving Day” following major victories. This was followed by the formal observance of Thanksgiving Day as declared in 1863 by Abraham Lincoln as he reflected the devastation and horrors of the War. He referenced his appeals of termination of the war to “Divine Countenance” to save the nation and bring about lasting peace. 

As the most quintessentially recognized American Holiday, Thanksgiving has significantly evolved from its deeply religious roots of fasting, prayers and the gathering for a memorable repast. Although one common thread remains today – sharing a meal with family and friends while enjoying their all too infrequent visits. Preparations are always a lot of work. Do not allow stress to enter into your heart. We do have much to be thankful for, that this one day should be devoted to all our achievements and reflect upon all our blessings that are rarely realized, appreciated and that life is really short. Let us enrich ourselves with the abundance and goodwill within our DNA. After all, gratitude and giving are the most significant acts that we can express to one another. 

“Be thankful for what you have. Your life is someone else’s fantasy.” – Wale Ayeni 

Thank you and enjoy Thanksgiving. 

Mayor John L. Madden