Thanksgiving was declared a national holiday by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863 in the midst of the Civil War. The first Thanksgiving however, was celebrated by the Pilgrims who had landed at Plymouth Rock in 1620 in the autumn of 1621. It occurred when the Wampanoag Indians shared their autumn harvest feast. The Pilgrims who landed at Plymouth Rock had their numbers nearly cut in half after the first winter in frigid Massachusetts. We can only imagine their delight to have survived and then be a part of a ancient ritual that had been celebrated by the native peoples of North America for centuries. The Wampanoag Indians had always given thanks to the Creator usually on a daily basis, but always at large ceremonies for successful harvests in the fall of the year. They hoped for a good growing season in early spring and for good fortune such as the birth of healthy children. Giving thanks was and still is the reason for Thanksgiving Day. In 1621, that first Thanksgiving celebration lasted for 3 days.
A Short History of Thanksgiving
Bad Drugs and Bad Food
We trust that the medicine we take will help and not hurt us. We believe that when we purchase food in a supermarket, that it will be wholesome and healthy. Unfortunately, that has not recently been the case.
