The Traditions of Thanksgiving

To be thankful is to recognize the important things in life and reflect upon the good fortune, positive forces, or even luck that influences your life. To maintain a high quality of life, everyone needs to express some gratitude and give thanks, even if it is concentrated on one day of the year.

The fourth Thursday in November is a day of history, tradition and reflection for people across the country, including the students of LRHS.

While the history of Thanksgiving and its evolution from 1621 to the feast spread across many a dining room table today may not be the first priority for the students of Lind-Ritzville High School, they do have many things to be thankful for as they prepare for Thanksgiving break.

Many people are already familiar with the celebration that took place at Plymouth Plantation in Massachusetts of 1621 between the Pilgrims and the native Wampanoag Indian tribe.

While it was an existing part of the Pilgrim’s religion to have days of giving thanks, it was an event noted throughout history when they celebrated their first successful harvest in the ‘new world’ with the natives.

However, it wasn’t until over a century later that George Washington made Thanksgiving a national holiday.

According to an article on history.com, “George Washington called for an official celebratory ‘day of public thanksgiving and prayer’ ”.

Several years later in 1815, President Thomas Jefferson removed Thanksgiving as a national holiday in order to maintain the separation of church and state.

It was Abraham Lincoln that reestablished it as a national holiday permanently. On history.com experts in the field say, “… Expressing gratitude for a pivotal Union army victory at Gettysburg, President Abraham Lincoln <announced> that the nation [would] celebrate an official Thanksgiving holiday on November 26, 1863,” which was the fourth Thursday in November.

The meal served at Thanksgiving dinner has evolved greatly over time. Historians at Smithsonian magazine’s website believe “Turkey was not the centerpiece of the meal… that goose or duck was the wildfowl of choice.”

Also likely present were eels, shellfish, nuts, beans, and pumpkins. No matter what was served, the feast continues to be a major component of the holiday.

Regardless of the years passed and traditions that have changed since the first Thanksgiving, LRHS students have many things to be thankful for.

Felicia Ziemer, student at LRHS, says, “I am thankful for my friends and family, and the opportunities I am provided with every day.”

Travis SteMarie is thankful for his entire family: “They are always supportive.”

Kennea Estler-Teal adds, “My favorite tradition is eating with my family and being together.”

“My favorite tradition,” Tessa Jantz explains, “is eating Thanksgiving Dinner with my grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.”

LRHS students are thankful for their education. Morgan Shields reflects, “I am thankful for our teachers who put so much time and effort into making our education personalized.”

Students will have early dismissal at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 26 and will not have school on Thursday November 27 or Friday November 28 in honor of Thanksgiving.