Thanksgiving traditions remain strong centuries later
Anna Johnson
– Staff Writer –
Andrea Royals
– Staff Writers –
Thanksgiving marks the start of the joyous holiday season in which families and friends across the country come together to nostalgically give thanks, reminisce about old memories, and, among other things, eat. However, this American pastime concerns more than just turkey, stuffing, and setting a dining room table.
AN AMERICAN
TRADITION
The original Thanksgiving feast took place between European colonists and the Wampanoag tribe at Plymouth Rock, in 1621. Several Native American tribes took part in a similar tradition every autumn, in which they would celebrate abundant harvests and give thanks for what they had grown, says food historian Kathleen Curtin in an article on the History Channel website. The first celebration acknowledged the newly formed friendship between settlers and American Indians, who had helped colonists gather food and build houses upon their arrival in the New Land. While the tradition was celebrated annually by some colonists and Native American tribes thereafter, Thanksgiving did not become popular among the 13 colonies until 1777 when Americans celebrated the victory of defeating the British troops during the Revolutionary War at the Battle of Saratoga. President Abraham Lincoln made Thanksgiving a national day of observance in 1863, according to an article published by the Stockton-San Joaquin Public Library, but it was not officially declared a national holiday by Congress until 1941 when President Roosevelt wanted to stimulate a longer Christmas shopping period.
VEGETARIANS
INCLUDED
The majority of families today serve a turkey as the primary dish of Thanksgiving feasts. Most may find this roasted bird a delicious cornerstone of the Thanksgiving tradition, but vegetarians and vegans are often not considered during cooking festivities. According to Turtle Island Foods, Inc., tofurkey, imitation turkey made from tofu, tastes just like the real thing, and is a healthy substitute.
PARTY ON 34th STREET
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade attracts 3 million people to New York streets each year, with another 50 million crowding around televisions across the country to watch a live broadcast of the event. According to the New York City experts, 2009 marks the 83rd annual parade, and features a variety of marching bands, floats, musical talent and the holiday premiere of Santa Claus in a three-hour-long winter celebration.
If Thanksgiving in New York is not on the agenda, consider bundling up and heading to Washington Avenue in downtown St. Louis, where the 25th annual Ameren UE Thanksgiving Day Parade kicks off with the theme of “Holiday Magic”. According to a “Christmas in Saint Louis” press release, this year honors Eagle Scout Anthony Thomas as the Grand Marshal, and features a high school marching band contest, several festive floats, balloons, animals, and even an antique car exhibit. The parade starts at 8:45 a.m. and can be seen on KMOV-TV Channel 4.
FOOTBALL
Football has become the established form of entertainment on Thanksgiving, and originates from the 1934 Detroit Lions game against the Chicago Bears. The tradition still continues at the stadium of the University of Detroit, but is now played against the Green Bay Packers.St. Louis also honors football as a Thanksgiving pastime, as Webster and Kirkwood High Schools will rival each other in the annual Turkey Day Game. The game, which will be held at 12 p.m. at Kirkwood High School Lyon’s Memorial Field, celebrates the oldest rivalry between high schools west of the Mississippi.
The Thanksgiving tradition has been carried on for almost 400 years, and as people prepare their feasts, attend parades, and cheer for favorite football teams, one must not forget the heart of the holiday: giving thanks.
