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The Walk Against Violence was
a multi-faith event held in Canada in Oct 2008 as a move to unite
Canadians against violence of all types. For more information on
that event, click here
Thanksgiving - A History
Here are some interesting facts about Thanksgiving: (1) The first
formally declared Day of Thanksgiving was June 29, 1676, and (2)
President Lincoln proclaimed the last Thursday in November to be
Thanksgiving Day. How about that!
Thanksgiving is one of the most widely celebrated holidays in
America. All across the country, millions of Americans stuff
turkeys, decorate the dinner table, and give thanks to God for a
variety of things. Of particular interest to non-Americans and
native Americans alike, is its history.
Now celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November, Thanksgiving was
officially declared this date of celebration by President Franklin
D. Roosevelt in 1939. However it wasn't until a year later, that
President Roosevelt signed this declaration into US law. Today,
Thanksgiving is also known as Turkey Day (from the traditional
Thanksgiving dinner), T-Day (abbreviation for "Thanksgiving" or
"Turkey"), or Macy's Day (in reference to Macy's Thanksgiving day
parade). T-Day from its very conception began way back in the 1600s
when Pilgrims held a three-day feast to celebrate their survival and
harvest of their first winter in North America.
From its conception, Thanksgiving has always been a family ordeal,
celebrated with a feast of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy,
green beans, sweet potatoes, and cranberry sauce. For dessert,
pumpkin pie and/or pecan pie is usually enjoyed. Of course,
variations of how these dishes are served are found in secular parts
of the country and within each culture. Some people like to include
oysters in their Thanksgiving stuffing, for example, while others
like to eat duck instead of turkey. In Louisiana, some folks like to
cook a stuffed duck inside of a stuffed turkey! Vegetarians may eat
tofurkey, which is a creative way of serving tofu - a strategy that
may or may not contribute the to the fact that over forty-four
millions turkeys are eaten every year!
But feasting isn't the only activity associated with Thanksgiving.
On this holiday, millions of Americans travel for miles to be with
family and friends. They attend the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade
in Manhattan or watch it on tv (other cities often have their own
parades as well). They also watch football - a new tradition
associated with Thanksgiving. And the National Turkey Federation
presents the President of the United States with three turkeys: one
living turkey and two cooked ones. The live turkey is pardoned from
its past crimes and goes on to live an "uncooked" life. Other people
may use the time (a four-day holiday) to travel or take a cruise.
Interestingly, not all Americans celebrate Thanksgiving. In 1947, a
group of Native Americans protested the holiday in Massachusetts,
and some other groups continue to mark this holiday as a blooper in
American history. Other cultures may celebrate their own version of
Thanksgiving and participate in cultural activities specific to
their heritage, while cooking foods that are native to their
origins.
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