Thanksgiving: The true meaning

BY YOGI RAMNARAIN 

The Pilgrims, looking for religious and civil liberty, left Plymouth, England on September 6, 1620. They braved the stormy seas for over two months before land was in sight where they arrived in Massachusetts in late November (1620).

On December 11, after disembarking at Plymouth Rock, they signed the Mayflower Compact, known as America’s first document of civil/self government. Trying to build shelters in their new homeland, they were still unprepared for the harsh New England winter, and due to starvation and sickness, nearly half of them died before the coming spring.

However, persevering in prayer and after receiving help from the native Indians, they eventually reaped a bountiful harvest the following summer.

Being grateful for what they had accomplished, the Pilgrims then declared a three-day feast which started on December 13, 1621. The occasion was used to thank God and for celebrating with their Indian friends. This occasion marked America’s first Thanksgiving Festival.

Then in 1789 a proclamation issued by President George Washington had America celebrate its first Day of Thanksgiving. The Protestant Episcopal Church of which he (President George Washington) was a member, announced that the first Thursday in November would become its regular day for giving thanks. This, however, was on a State level. It was not until 1963 President Abraham Lincoln set aside the last Thursday in November as a National Day of Thanksgiving, and in 1941 Congress permanently established the day (fourth Thursday) as a national holiday.

In present day America, Thanksgiving is celebrated by many persons of different nationalities, cultures, religious, social and ethnic backgrounds who have no specific ancestral ties to the Pilgrims. Yet, from what we know of the history of Thanksgiving and the reason for which the celebrations started, we can all relate and appreciate its significance.

Thanksgiving for most Americans is a time to come together with friends and family and give thanks for all that we have accomplished. While persons may chose to celebrate the holiday in different ways, whatever way it is observed, the most important aspect of thanksgiving will always be preserved, that is being thankful to God for everything that we have, including good health, abundant food, shelter, good family and friends and life itself.