Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-11-27

son, the nation, and particu-
larly the residents of the cap
rtal, are today celebrating the
period the President has set apart
for the giving of thanks. In the
churches OF Washington the high
officers of the government have
set the example to the people and
have joined with them in praising
Almighty God for His manifold
.mercies and blessings to US as 4
nation in accordance with the in
vitation of the President. In the
family circles of the capital, es-
sentially a city of homes, the same
reverent and apprecative spirit
has prevailed. =,
There is general surcease
from labor; government depart
ments,, stores, Offices are closed
for the day.
These more solemn obligations of the
day having been duly observed through
out the morning hours, Washington has
entered this afternoon upon the celebra-
tion of one of the most typical of Ameri-
can. holidays. a feast day which has no
counterpart, perhaps. among the nations
of the wor d, unless one such may be
found among the harvest festivals cele-
brated during the autumn in various
countries. although religious services. as
a rule. are not part of such festivals,
and do compose a large part of the
American celebration of Thanksgiving
day.
Religious services. following those held
this morning. are to be held again this
evening in many of the churches OF
Washington Everywhere the spirit OF
gratitude for thee bountiful harvests the
country has been granted will be shown.
in no place wi this be more apparent
than at the dinner tables in family cir
cles, heavily laden for the feast with tur-
key, oysters, cranberries, pumpkins and
other edibles known to the world as being
American. This afternoon, in homes all
over the city, the innocent mischief and
whether BY fireside, with storytelling
or out in the open, walking among the
woods OF gathering nuts.
Poor Are Remembered.
Nor have those without homes, or those
who are away from them for the time
being. an opportunity to feel that they
have no reason to give thanks. Those
who watch over the poor and the affiict-
ed of the city have seen to it that they
also shall have a day to be remembered
and there is feasting, rejoicing and laugh
ter among the institutions OF the capi-
tal where these poor and afflicted are
Baskets of good things have been pro.
vided for many who would not have hac
them had not the more fortunate made il
q pleasurable duty TO thus provide. and
those in authority in some OF the in
stitutions of the District have been a
great pains TO see that the day is really
one Of celebration for their charges.
To-Day the 3:SJth celebrat tion of Thanks
giving day is being held. The custom
Christian sermon was preached in Mort
America. before the first English colon,
brought TO this country, by an Englisi
minister named Wolfall aboard the shi,
Ayde, anchored off the shores of New
foundland.
The frst official observance OF the da,
was December II told styleD. 1921, whel
Gov. Bradford OF the Massachusetts col
vests the colony had been granted sen
out four men to gather game for grea
feast to follow q Thanksgiving religion
service These men brought In wild tur
keys, and ever since that day the tur
key has been one of the principal dishe
at most Thanksgiving feasts.
Subject for Reflection.
Paterfamilias. with reflective cigar thi
afternoon or tonight. following the fam
lily feast, will perhaps recall that 19i
will be the year set apart in histor,
which marks the practical completion
of the Panama canal. which engineer
and other scientists characterize as tn
greatest work ever undertaken by man
and which will forever be a monument /.
the American people.
President Wilson directed attention l.
that fact in his Thanksgiving proclama
tion, when he said In that document
I'VE have seen the practical completion
Of great work at the Isthmus of Pan
ANA. which not only eXemplities the ma
tions abundant resources to accomplish
what il will, and the distinguished ski
and capacity of its public servants, bu
also promises the beginning of a ney
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