The Dallas express. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1893-1970, 1922-12-02
HOW NATIONAL THANKSGIVING
BEGAN.

At this particular season OF the
year 1t is appropriate to tell about
the woman who, after twenty years
of patient effort, succeeded III hav-
ing an annual Thanksgiving cele-
bration in this country observed on
the same day by all Of the people.
The name of this woman was Mrs.
Sarah Josepba Hale. Few women,
either before or since, have accom-
plished more big things for the
betterment of men and women. !
wonder how many people of the
present generation have ever heard
of this gifted woman? She was
born at Newport. N. H.. October
"a, 1888, and died in Philadelphia.
April 80, 1879. She was not col
lege woman, but was taught by her
mother. In 1918, at the age of 20,
she married a lawyer named David
Hale, who was a brother of Salma
Hale, the famous historian and, at
one time member of Congress from
New Hampshire. Nine years later
she was left a widow with five
children She was genuine old
fashioned American woman, and did
not clamor for government or in
dividual aid. She was quite con-
tent to go to work. In 1928 she be-
came editor Of the Ladies' Maya
zine" which had recently been start
ed in Boston. She successfully edit
ed this publication until 1887, when
| 1t was merged with "Godey's Ladies
Book" published at Philadelphia.
She continued with the latter pub
LEGATION until 1877.
Editing a magazine Is usually con-
sidered a pretty big job in itself.
Mrs. Hale, however, seemed to find
time for many other things. She
organized the Seaman's Aid Society
in Boston, which is the parent of
similar organizations now existing
in most ports. The completion of
the Bunker Hill monument was also
partly due to the efforts Of this
little woman. She persuaded the
women of New England to raise
$50, 900 for that purpose.
The plan Of educating women for
medical and missionary service in
foreign lands was inaugurated by
Mrs. Hale. She devoted number
of years to this effort, finally sue
ceeding through the organization Of
the Ladies Medical Missionary So
ciety of Philadelphia, and the Wom-
ans Union Missionary Society for
Heather Lands, formed in New
York
II was in the early forties that
Mrs. Hale began her campaign for
making Thanksgiving national
holiday, and its celebration on the
same day all over the country. It
was then the custom for different
localities to observe the occasion
on whatever day happened to strike
their fancy.
For twenty years Mrs. Hale wrote
editorials in her magazine. and per-
sonal letters to governors and pres
idents, in behalf of national
Thanksgiving Day Her efforts and
patience were rewarded in 1864
when President Abraham Lincoln
saw the wisdom of her suggestion
and decided to adopt her plan. From
that day to this Thanksgiving has
been celebrated by the whole ma
ton on the fourth Thursday of No
vember.
OF Remote Origin.
The observance of days OF Thanks
giving did not, of course. originate
in America. Its origin goes back
to remote ages, and is found among
all nations. In ancient times these
celebrations usually took the form |
of harvest thanksgiving. The an
Gent Egyptians observed them with I
sacrifices and other ceremonies. An
cient India had its harvest festivals /
and they are still observed in many
parts Of that country.
Perhaps the earliest harvest fes-
tival of which we have record is the
one mentioned in the Bible as be-
ing observed by the Canaanites. The