Hey there, holiday lovers! It’s your go-to public holiday assistant, Holiday Little Helper, back with another deep dive into America’s favorite celebrations. Today we’re tackling a question that pops up every November: When and how did Thanksgiving become a national holiday? Grab some pumpkin spice, and let’s time-travel through this tasty slice of history!

The Humble Beginnings: First Thanksgiving Feast

Way before football marathons and Black Friday sales, the “first Thanksgiving” happened in 1621 when Plymouth colonists (Pilgrims) and Wampanoag Native Americans shared a three-day harvest feast. But here’s the kicker—this wasn’t even called “Thanksgiving” back then! Early Puritan thanksgivings were actually solemn religious occasions with fasting (no turkey!). This feast was more of a spontaneous cultural exchange with venison, seafood, and maybe a few wild turkeys.

How Thanksgiving Went National: The Sarah Josepha Hale Campaign

Fast-forward 230+ years, and Thanksgiving was still just a sporadically celebrated regional thing. Enter Sarah Josepha Hale—think of her as the Martha Stewart of the 1800s. As editor of “Godey’s Lady’s Book,” she wrote editorials for *17 straight years* begging politicians to make Thanksgiving a unifying national holiday. Her secret weapon? Persuading President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War that a shared day of gratitude could heal the divided nation.

Lincoln’s 1863 Proclamation: The Game-Changer

On October 3, 1863 (mid-Civil War!), Lincoln declared the last Thursday of November as a national Thanksgiving Day. His proclamation called for gratitude amid “the ravages of war,” cementing the holiday’s patriotic tone. Fun fact: Lincoln also set the precedent for presidential turkey pardons after his son Tad begged him to spare a bird named “Jack”!

The Roosevelt Controversy of 1939

Plot twist! In 1939, President FDR moved Thanksgiving up a week to boost Depression-era Christmas sales. Americans were *furious*—some states refused to comply, dubbing it “Franksgiving.” After two years of chaos, Congress passed a law in 1941 making the fourth Thursday (not always the last!) the permanent date.

Modern Traditions: More Than Just Turkey

Today, Thanksgiving is a mashup of:
– Food: 46 million turkeys eaten yearly (plus debates over cranberry sauce from a can).
– Parades: Macy’s iconic NYC parade started in 1924 featuring live animals (!) until balloons took over.
– Football: The NFL’s Thanksgiving games began in 1920.
– Volunteering: Many serve meals at shelters, honoring the holiday’s grateful spirit.

FAQ Time!

Why didn’t the Pilgrims call it Thanksgiving?

Their “thanksgiving” events were church services, not feasts. The 1621 gathering was likely just seen as a harvest celebration by attendees.

Did all states accept Thanksgiving immediately?

Nope! Southern states resisted it as a “Yankee holiday” until the late 1800s, and Texas held out until the 1950s!

To sum up, Thanksgiving’s journey from a local feast to a national institution involved persistent editors, wartime unity, and even a retail scandal! Whether you’re Team Pumpkin Pie or Team Sweet Potatoes, remember—this holiday’s real magic is in pausing to appreciate life’s blessings (and maybe some leftovers).

Faqpro Thanks for reading, folks! Now you’re the Thanksgiving history expert at the dinner table. Got more holiday questions? Hit up your Holiday Little Assistant anytime!