THANKSGIVING A LOST ART? - Brian Knowles - October 1979

Brian Knowles

Materially speaking, the United States and Canada are undoubtedly two of the most blessed nations, in history. Never have two nations risen to such dizzying heights of prosperity and technological advancement. Truly we live in "bountiful lands" -but have we forgotten the source of those blessings? Will we acknowledge the one who made it all possible? It is generally agreed that the first Thanksgiving in the United States occurred when the Pilgrims held a three-day festival to commemorate the harvest of 1621. The festival was ordered by governor William Bradford. It was not until 1660, however, that the harvest festival became a regular annual event in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. George Washington proclaimed November 26, 1789 the first national day of Thanksgiving. By mid-nineteenth century most of the northern states had adopted the custom. President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national harvest festival on November 26, 1863. - Information Supplied By: Herbert W Armstrong Library