Even before we finished off the Thanksgiving turkey it was time to take down the Thanksgiving decorations and start decorating for Christmas. Thanksgiving came later than usual this year. So December began a mere four days after Thanksgiving Day.
In 1939 Franklin Delano Roosevelt changed the date for Thanksgiving from the traditional fourth Thursday in November to the third Thursday in November. That year, traditional Thanksgiving Day would otherwise occur on November 30. The US economy was not good with the country coming out of the great depression, World War II was beginning in Europe and retailers felt that the shortened Christmas shopping season would be devastating for businesses. So Roosevelt issued a Presidential Proclamation changing the date of Thanksgiving to the third Thursday of November.
The Proclamation was met with confusion and dismay by many. Football was king even then, and games would need to be re-scheduled. School vacations would need to be changed and all calendars would be incorrect. Roosevelt's political enemies loudly questioned the President's authority to change the date of Thanksgiving. The Proclamation was so divisive that many states decided not to abide by it and to keep the original Thanksgiving date. In fact, twenty-three states kept the original date for celebrating Thanksgiving Day and twenty-three states followed the Proclamation and celebrated Thanksgiving on the third Thursday. The folks in Colorado and Texas were lucky...they celebrated two Thanksgiving Days that year; one on the third Thursday and another on the fourth Thursday. Roosevelt changed the date to the second-to-last Thursday in November again in 1940 and more states followed that date.
In 1941 Congress passed a law that Thanksgiving Day would be on the fourth Thursday in November. And so it has been. I must admit, I wish we had kept it the third Thursday. I think it just might give it the attention it deserves. Now it seems Thanksgiving is almost forgotten under the rush to Christmas. And it's one of my favorite holidays.
We always enjoy Thanksgiving whether we are with family and friends or just the two of us. And a too-large turkey. We had a quiet day but we felt rushed to move toward the Christmas season too soon afterward.
Lucy does not recognize anything special about Thanksgiving. Unlike many pet owners, we do not give her any turkey or dressing. We did give her some freeze-dried sweet potato treats that she loves and she was quite happy with that.
Like many dogs, Lucy sleeps in a variety of positions. Sometimes she stretches out full length and other times she curls up like a cat. (My husband prefers that we can it curling up like a puppy.)
She stirred when I approached with the camera.
But then quickly snoozed again.
These past few weeks have been troublesome in our country and in many places around the world. Today's quote comes from a few lyrics of a song written in 1955 by Jill Jackson Miller and Sy Miller:
Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me
Let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be.
Let peace begin with me let this be the moment now.
With every step I take let this be my solemn vow:
To take each moment and live each moment in peace eternally
Let there be peace on earth and let it being with me.
We are indeed brothers and sisters on this planet and peace will come only when we recognize that fact and stop isolating ourselves from the rest of the nation and world. We're all in this together and what affects one affects us all.
HAVE A WONDERFUL AND PEACEFUL WEEKEND, EVERYONE
13 comments:
I agree with all you say here. I wish Thanksgiving were earlier and I really like the song about peace. If everyone wanted peace, it could happen, but there are those who always want the opposite. Even in homes, there is often one who loves to stir up things.
I'll remember this post this season. Thanks.
I wish Thanksgiving was a little farther from Christmas. I think it would be more beneficial to both holidays.
Haven't thought about it but you make a good point about making Thanksgiving earlier. The holidays do bunch up don't they.
Totally agree with the lyrics.
I recently read about the uproar when President Roosevelt changed the date of Thanksgiving. In some ways it would be nice if the entire month of December wasn't a giant crazy shopping holiday. I wouldn't mind the last two weeks of the month. That sounds okay to me, then Thanksgiving wouldn't seem smashed up against the December frenzy.
Sad times in our country, really sad times.
At first I thought the pic of Lucy was a closeup of a croissant . . .
Love the song. It makes me think of"There is no way to peace. Peace is the way." (A.J. Muste)
It HAS been a rough week! Sigh.
I agree with you - let's move Thanksgiving! That would make our trips to NC space out a little bit more :)
Interesting observations on Thanksgiving timing.
Thanksgiving is certainly one of my favorite holidays. We can celebrate it without any other trappings--no religious observances, no trappings, no costumes, etc. And we don't really decorate for it.
Aww--Lucy curled up sleeping. Very sweet. Our dog sometimes favors rolling over on her back, exposing her belly to the world. Such trust.
Beautiful lyrics....if only.....
Nella chooses many position for sleep. My favourite is when she lies on her back with all her legs in the air. How does she do that :)
I am glad you enjoyed Thanksgiving, tku for sharing information about the history. We do not celebrate it here, so I am pleased to read and learn.
Have a good weekend.
Lucy is a beautiful dog.
I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I enjoyed the history of this holiday.
I hope you'll have a very Merry Christmas.
If only Colorado had kept two Thanksgivings! It's one of my favorite holidays too. With each passing year, the focus on "gift-buying" during the Christmas season bothers me more. I end up stressed out and, I have to admit, relieved when it's over.
I do love those lyrics. I can only hope that something good (like "change") will happen due to all the divisiveness recently.
The current questions of justice must be addressed, by the public (in the streets, editorials, petitions and finally the ballot box) as well as by the legal system's own need for revisions.
I don't care when Thanksgiving is, but agree that shopping shouldn't be the key to our economy! But it seems to be.
And on another topic, I'm waiting (impatiently) to see more pics of your fireplace when finished!
Speaking of Lucy, did you see that there is an I Love Lucy Christmas special tonight (Sunday) at 8?
Lucy always looks so graceful! She probably never lies on her back like road kill, does she?
I agree - it's an important day to us. We hold off decorating for Christmas until after it is done, but we are the only folks in the neighborhood to do so.
Monty and Harlow
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