I've never done this before, but essentially this entire blog post is a lengthy
quotation from a got questions.org article on why Americans celebrate
Thanksgiving in the first place. Let me
make this clear: there is no copyright infringement here. This material clearly does not originate from
me; and, as got questions copyright policy stipulates, I am copying it exactly
as it appears on their website, and I have given clear credit to them as the source. Furthermore, I’ll have the link
below, as I won’t be citing the whole thing here. So now that all that is out of the way, here
comes the fascinating content. The
author of the article writes:
“The original thanksgiving celebration was held by the
Pilgrim settlers in Massachusetts during their second winter in America in
December, 1621. The first winter had
killed 44 of the original 102 colonists.
At one point their daily food ration was down to five kernels of corn apiece,
but then an unexpected trading vessel arrived, swapping them beaver pelts for
corn, providing for their severe need.
The next summer’s crop brought hope, and Governor William Bradford
decreed that December 13, 1621, be set aside as a day of feasting and prayer to
show the gratitude of the colonists that they were still alive.
These Pilgrims, seeking religious freedom and opportunity
in America, gave thanks to God for His provision for them in helping them find
20 acres of cleared land, for the fact that there were no hostile Indians in
that area, for their newfound religious freedom, and for God’s provision of an
interpreter to the Indians in Squanto.
Along with the feasting and games involving the colonists and more than
80 friendly Indians (who added to the feast by bringing wild turkeys and
venison), prayers, sermons, and songs of praise were important in the celebration. Three days were spent in feasting and prayer.
From that time forward, Thanksgiving has been celebrated
as a day to give thanks to God for His gracious and sufficient provision.
President Abraham Lincoln officially set aside the last Thursday of November,
in 1863, “as a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father.” In 1941, Congress ruled that after 1941, the
fourth Thursday of November be observed as Thanksgiving Day and a legal
holiday.”
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