The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1899-12-02
QOrigi11 OF


diminishing DAY was first celebrated in
the autumu C.. 1921. The previous winter
had severely trisi tie courage Of the band
of Pilgrims AZ Plymouth, Mass, and Is out
Of the original lOl had died and were
buried in th" cemetery that seemed destin-
ed to soon BE the nome Of all the little com.
pany. But tue summer of 1921 changed
the course ii events and when the autumn
came with fNje crops, the survivors were all
healthy and ready to withstand the rigors
Of the coming winter
GoveInoa William Bradford decided that
there was cause for giving thanks and for
feasting, aud he detailed four men to 20
hunting to suppIy the table with wild fowl.
Wild turkeys were plentiful in the woods
at that time ami in one day, historians say,
tie four hunter killed enough game to
supply The company for q week. Thrifty
housewife, supplied the necessary pies
made from she yellow pumpkins recently
gathered, and thus turkey and pumpkin
pie formed pdncipal part of the first
Thanksgiving celebration, as they have of
every anniversary of the day since that
time.
The Pilgrims were not content with cele
brating one day, and feRsting and merry
making lasted fol a week Chief Massasoit
and ninety of his copper colored followers
paid visit TO the colony during the week
and were heartily welcomed and royalty
entertained. While church services oc2u-
pied much Of the time, there was no lack
Of outdoor games and all were bountifully
supplied with what the Indians called
comfortable warm water" but which is
known to commerce as Holland gin.
Thus Thanksgiving was born. 1t con-
tinued to be celebrated in the New England
colonies, though not with any regularity,
for about fifty years. Thanksgiving was
observed in July, 1928, because of the
timely arrival of a shipload OF supplies.
Six years later the accession of William
and Mary to the English throne was simil-
arly celebrated and the victory over the
Pequods was the cause of a day OF thanks
giving in 1867. 1t was about 1850 when
the celebration q the day became an an
nual custom in Massachusetts Colony and
was regularly ordered by thu General Court.
During the revolutionary war there were
eight public obser;anccs of the day by act
Of the Continental Congress. The first
national Thanksgiving was ordered by
Congress aud proclaimed by President
Washington in l7-9, and since that time
the last Thursday in November has been
regularly declared national holiday.
Gradually in the various States the custom
grew of recognizing the institution by pro-
CARNATIONS ~ the yarious Governors
1t is only within the past half century
that the Southern States have accepted
Thanksaiyius and while the Governors
now regularly issue the proolamations tie
people pay iiJte attention TO the day.
Christmas continues to be the great holiday
for the folk, who live south Of Mason and
DiNon's line Having been first celebrated
in New England, the oldest al American
holidays continues to be most generally
observed there as day for family reunions,
religious Worship and general Publication.
The true N..@ Highlander observes the day
whether he is at nome or abroad, and de.
scendauts OF ,hr Puritans will eat turkey
THANKSGIVING day in every country on the
face Of the dob philadelphia Times.