Thanksgiving Traditions & Memories
Updated on Nov 26, 2020.
Originally added on Nov 28, 2019 by
Kathy Pinna
You've probably spent your whole life with the same traditions on Thanksgiving: Family and friends gathering for turkey, dressing (or stuffing), mashed potatoes, gravy, green bean casserole, and whatever else makes your family tradition complete.
Then there are the desserts - pumpkin pie, sweet potato pie, berry pie, cakes, cheesecake . . . Are you getting hungry?
All of this is in the spirit of the first Thanksgiving - friends and family coming together to celebrate, and give thanks for, the bounty in their lives. Technology may change, the way we prepare these feasts may change, but the essence remains the same.
Take a stroll down memory lane - some of these traditions may seem familiar, others may not.
Did you know? The first Thanksgiving was celebrated in November of 1621 when the Wampanoag tribe and the Pilgrims came together for a harvest celebration. The feast, which lasted 3 days, included waterfowl, venison, fish, lobster, clams, berries, fruit, pumpkin, and squash. According to reports, there were 90 Native Americans and 53 Pilgrims who attended. In 1863, President Lincoln proclaimed Thanksgiving a federal holiday of "Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens" and made it the last Thursday of November. In 1941, FDR proclaimed the 4th Thursday of November as Thanksgiving Day - to give citizens more time to shop for Christmas - and this has been the official day ever since.
Then there are the desserts - pumpkin pie, sweet potato pie, berry pie, cakes, cheesecake . . . Are you getting hungry?
All of this is in the spirit of the first Thanksgiving - friends and family coming together to celebrate, and give thanks for, the bounty in their lives. Technology may change, the way we prepare these feasts may change, but the essence remains the same.
Take a stroll down memory lane - some of these traditions may seem familiar, others may not.
Did you know? The first Thanksgiving was celebrated in November of 1621 when the Wampanoag tribe and the Pilgrims came together for a harvest celebration. The feast, which lasted 3 days, included waterfowl, venison, fish, lobster, clams, berries, fruit, pumpkin, and squash. According to reports, there were 90 Native Americans and 53 Pilgrims who attended. In 1863, President Lincoln proclaimed Thanksgiving a federal holiday of "Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens" and made it the last Thursday of November. In 1941, FDR proclaimed the 4th Thursday of November as Thanksgiving Day - to give citizens more time to shop for Christmas - and this has been the official day ever since.
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Thanksgiving Traditions & Memories
Hunting, just like his forefathers
The convenience of a fresh turkey - the legs are handy for hauling?
Sometimes the whole family . . .
Got their guns and went out to hunt?
Did you buy your turkey outside at a tobacco auction?
1939 in Durham, North Carolina
Or did you go out into the woods, brave person?
1912 - almost 300 years after the first Thanksgiving.
Or perhaps you went to the market?
This is 1919 - but it's kinda like today's farmer's market . . .
Then there was your local butcher shop . . .
November 1940: Easier, less time involved, and just around the corner.
But Presidents always get special delivery
The White House, 1921. This was delivery of a turkey for Warren G. Harding.
Plucking the turkey
SO happy most of us don't have to do this any more!
Boy, that stove brings back memories!
That's a 20 lb turkey in a wood stove. Now aren't you thankful for your modern kitchen?
Family arriving
During WWII, some warriors came home for Thanksgiving. That must have been so special.
1940 - long and skinny bird
No oversized breasts here! Even turkeys today look different.
Coming out of the kitchen
1960 - you can just smell this turkey with a color photo!
Almost time to eat!
1942. The carving of the bird - and someone always steals a piece while it's being carved.
Go ahead - dig in!
1942 Pennsylvania - everyone taking some of the delicious food.
Family, food, crowded around the table . . .
That's Thanksgiving whether it's the 1950s or the 21st century.
Some people always get the folding chairs
This is 1951 but it's always true.
And don't forget the kid's table!
It always felt good when you graduated to sitting with the adults. Of course, then you couldn't play with the food.
After all that food, your dessert is waiting . . .
Pies, cakes . . . the pounds are adding up.
Okay, this isn't a Pilgrim tradition but . . .
In 1941, stores closed for football games on Thanksgiving. Many don't close at all anymore. But then, we have big tvs for the big game now.
But the cafe didn't close in 1940 Virginia . . .
And you could get the whole dinner for 60 cents - without days of cooking on your part.
The Thanksgiving Maskers
In the early 20th century, children (especially in New York City) would dress up and beg for change on Thanksgiving. With the introduction of the Macy's Day Parade in the '20's, the Masker tradition merged with Halloween - thus the Halloween we know today.
1910 Maskers
Newspapers denounced parents who allowed their children to follow this "hooligan" practice.
Maskers scrambling for pennies
In 1910, a 3/4 ounces candy bar cost 2 cents. Today, the average bar is 1.5 - 1.8 oz and costs north of $1
1902 Thanksgiving Proclamation Act
President Teddy Roosevelt signing the Thanksgiving Proclamation Act in 1902.
President Franklin Roosevelt (Teddy was his cousin and Eleanor's uncle) moved Thanksgiving from the last Thursday of November to the fourth Thursday of November in 1939 to give Americans more time to shop for Christmas!
And in the end, Thanksgiving is all about love
And the people in our lives. Happy Thanksgiving!
Have photos that you'd like to see included? Share your photos or click "next page" below to see photos of Native Americans - our partners in thanksgiving.
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