Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving - History, origin, and traditions of an American holiday
1863 Thanksgiving Proclamation by Abraham Lincoln
Full text of the October 3, 1863 decree that finally made Thanksgiving an official U.S. holiday.
Full text of the October 3, 1863 decree that finally made Thanksgiving an official U.S. holiday.
Black Friday: Biggest Shopping Day of the Year?
Tradition has it that the Friday after Thanksgiving is the biggest shopping day of the year in the U.S. Retail insiders say that is probably not the case.
Tradition has it that the Friday after Thanksgiving is the biggest shopping day of the year in the U.S. Retail insiders say that is probably not the case.
Common Mayflower Myths
Caleb Johnson debunks myths about the Mayflower and its passengers.
Caleb Johnson debunks myths about the Mayflower and its passengers.
Does the Tryptophan in Turkey Make You Sleepy?
Theoretically it could, says About.com's Chemistry Guide Anne Marie Helmenstine, but the true lethargy inducer in any Thanksgiving dinner is more likely to be the carbohydrate count.
Theoretically it could, says About.com's Chemistry Guide Anne Marie Helmenstine, but the true lethargy inducer in any Thanksgiving dinner is more likely to be the carbohydrate count.
FDR and Thanksgiving
It was Franklin Delano Roosevelt who, in his 1939 Thanksgiving Proclamation, gave the annual holiday its current date: the second-to-last Thursday in November. About's 20th Century History Guide Jennifer Rosenberg explains why he ordered the change.
It was Franklin Delano Roosevelt who, in his 1939 Thanksgiving Proclamation, gave the annual holiday its current date: the second-to-last Thursday in November. About's 20th Century History Guide Jennifer Rosenberg explains why he ordered the change.
The 'First Thanksgiving'
What wasn't on the menu: ham, potatoes, sweet potatoes (not yet introduced into New England), corn on the cob, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie... and football.
What wasn't on the menu: ham, potatoes, sweet potatoes (not yet introduced into New England), corn on the cob, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie... and football.
A Folklorist's View of Thanksgiving
Esaúl Sánchez and folklorist Roger D. Abrahams discuss "the ubiquitious, universal, populist turkey and Thanksgiving."
Esaúl Sánchez and folklorist Roger D. Abrahams discuss "the ubiquitious, universal, populist turkey and Thanksgiving."
The History of Thanksgiving
"Travel back to Plymouth and hear from some pilgrims to find out what the original celebration was actually like!" -- From the History Channel.
"Travel back to Plymouth and hear from some pilgrims to find out what the original celebration was actually like!" -- From the History Channel.
Pilgrim Clothing
Contrary to popular myth, it wasn't all black and white!
Contrary to popular myth, it wasn't all black and white!
Plymouth Rock
The real story behind the legendary landing spot of the Mayflower in 1620.
The real story behind the legendary landing spot of the Mayflower in 1620.
The Pregnant Turkey
Netlore Archive: For a Thanksgiving laugh, mom stuffs a roast turkey with a cornish game hen as a practical joke on her naive daughter.
Netlore Archive: For a Thanksgiving laugh, mom stuffs a roast turkey with a cornish game hen as a practical joke on her naive daughter.
The Presidential Turkey Pardon
Why do U.S. presidents feel compelled to issue an official pardon to a turkey each year before Thanksgiving? Did the "tradition" really start with Harry Truman? Or was it Abe Lincoln?
Why do U.S. presidents feel compelled to issue an official pardon to a turkey each year before Thanksgiving? Did the "tradition" really start with Harry Truman? Or was it Abe Lincoln?
Suicide Season?
Does the U.S. suicide rate increase over the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays? Here are the facts behind the urban legend.
Does the U.S. suicide rate increase over the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays? Here are the facts behind the urban legend.
Thanksgiving in the Melting Pot
Anthropologist Dr. Sidney Mintz discusses holiday customs, food, gender roles, and commercialization.
Anthropologist Dr. Sidney Mintz discusses holiday customs, food, gender roles, and commercialization.
Thanksgiving Day Myths
By historian Timothy Walch, director of the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library in West Branch, Iowa.
By historian Timothy Walch, director of the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library in West Branch, Iowa.
Top 10 Myths About Thanksgiving
"If by Thanksgiving, you have in mind the Pilgrim festival, forget about it being a family holiday. Put away your Norman Rockwell paintings. Turn off Bing Crosby. Thanksgiving was a multicultural community event. If it had been about family, the Pilgrims never would have invited the Indians to join them."
"If by Thanksgiving, you have in mind the Pilgrim festival, forget about it being a family holiday. Put away your Norman Rockwell paintings. Turn off Bing Crosby. Thanksgiving was a multicultural community event. If it had been about family, the Pilgrims never would have invited the Indians to join them."
A Virtual Tour of the Plimouth Plantation
It's 1627 all the time at Plimoth Plantation, the living history attraction in Plymouth, Massachusetts, that recreates the life of the Pilgrims and their Native neighbors. Take a virtual tour with About's New England for Visitors Guide, Kim Knox Beckius.
It's 1627 all the time at Plimoth Plantation, the living history attraction in Plymouth, Massachusetts, that recreates the life of the Pilgrims and their Native neighbors. Take a virtual tour with About's New England for Visitors Guide, Kim Knox Beckius.
Wampanoag History
Detailed history of the Native American tribe without whose teaching the Pilgrims would have had little to be thankful for.
Detailed history of the Native American tribe without whose teaching the Pilgrims would have had little to be thankful for.