Image Up Advertising & Design

• Another day of Thanksgiving was in 1631 after a morning of Thanksgiving. Apparently no one knew where the supply ship that was thought lost arrived in Boston Harbor. turkey baster was. Loud statements were made that there was Governor Bradford made it an official day of thanksgiving no way to successfully cook the turkey properly and, therefore, and prayer. Thanksgiving would be ruined and, of course, Christmas would • Connecticut started having days of Thanksgiving never come, and something about heathens taking over the in 1639, 1644, and 1649. They even had one in 1665 to government. I was a child and didn't understand, but knew remember the Puritan Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving would never be the same. • In the 1700s several colonies started annual days of It was as an adult when I started to understand what Thanksgiving in November or December. Thanksgiving meant. After I married and had kids I started • The Continental Congress declared December 18, 1775, to feel truly thankful for the many gifts in my life. But I also a day of Thanksgiving after the win at the Battle of Saratoga. realized that Thanksgiving was something that should be • George Washington celebrated every day and there was no specific meal needed. If "Apparently no one knew where issued the first Thanksgiving Proclamation by a President of you waited until the designated the turkey baster was. Loud the United States on November Thursday in November to be thankful, you are wasting the statements were made that there 26, 1789. • The first national other 364 days. You don't need was no way to successfully cook Thanksgiving Day was issued by to experience that bloated feeling followed by tryptophan- the turkey properly and, therefore, President Abraham Lincoln. It Thanksgiving would be ruined established Thanksgiving on the induced sleep in front of the college football marathon on and, of course, Christmas would last Thursday of November. • For several years in TV to fully be thankful. never come, and something the 1930s and 40s, the dates for As a history teacher, I thought about heathens taking over the Thanksgiving were altered and it would be beneficial to find argued about due to its affect out more about Thanksgiving government." on the economy and Christmas and Puritans than Sister Mary shopping. Finally, President Roosevelt signed a bill into Matthew was willing to share. Here are some facts you may not law that puts Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of have known. November. • Westminster Abby in London was attacked by Puritan After reviewing all the conflicts and erroneous facts about iconoclasts in the 1600s prior to leaving for America. Some Thanksgiving, I think my parent's argument over the turkey of the damage can still be seen today. • Harvest feasts were not new to the Puritans. Such baster was rather tame and actually part of the holiday tradition. So as you gather with your family and friends this year, realize tradition was popular throughout Europe for centuries. • The first mention of 'Thanksgiving' in colonial records that it's just a day to have a meal with those you love and argue was in 1623. The puritans faced a long drought from May to with. Keep your eyes on the road. July and decided to have a day of Thanksgiving and prayer in July to pray for rain. OUR YUCAIPA | NOVEMBER 2013 15

• Cover