Published: November 24, 2009 01:51 pm      

Holiday evolves with presidents

Many take Thanksgiving Day for granted — turkey, football and a nap. For others the day has much more significance. During World Ward II President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued his 1940 Thanksgiving Day proclamation that stated, “In a year which has seen calamity and sorrow fall upon many peoples elsewhere in the world may we give thanks for our preservation. On the same day, in the same hour, let us pray ...” and he continued with an eloquent prayer for this country and all nations.

Abraham Lincoln was the first American president to proclaim Thanksgiving a nationally observed holiday. The evolution of the holiday is interesting — not all presidents issued Thanksgiving proclamations. George Washington issued a proclamation recommending a public day of thanksgiving. Thomas Jefferson saw things a little differently. He was hesitant to declare a day of thanksgiving for reasons that he considered as in conflict with his views on separation of church and state.

There were few presidential proclamations declaring a national day of thanksgiving until April 1862 when President Abraham Lincoln declared a day of thanksgiving for victory in battle. Ironically, Confederate President Jefferson Davis also declared a day of thanksgiving for battle in September of 1862.

Then on Sept. 28, 1863, Sarah Josepha Hale wrote to President Lincoln petitioning him to declare a Day of National Thanksgiving. Hale’s petition brought the result she was seeking. On Oct. 3, Lincoln issued a proclamation urging Americans to observe the last Thursday in November as a day of thanksgiving. That proclamation was the first in the unbroken series of autumn proclamations.

In 1939 and again in 1940, President Roosevelt declared the third Thursday in November as Thanksgiving to give depression-era merchants more selling days before Christmas — some called the day “Franksgiving.” Not all Americans were happy because the change required rescheduling Thanksgiving day events such as football games and parades. Some historians credit Fred Lazarus Jr., founder of the Federated Department Stores (Macy’s), with convincing Roosevelt to push Thanksgiving back a week.

In 1941 a Congressional Joint Resolution officially set the fourth Thursday of November as a national holiday for Thanksgiving.

444

Gov. Joe Manchin and First Lady Gayle Manchin have invited all fellow West Virginians to attend “Joyful Night,” the state’s annual holiday celebration. The musical event begins 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 3 on the corner of Washington and Greenbrier streets, with a parade highlighting several high school bands and the 2009 winners of the holiday ornament contest. The governor and first lady will light the ceremonial Christmas tree at 6 p.m. on the north plaza of the State Capitol.

Visitors can take a musical walk through the Capitol grounds, Governor’s Mansion and Culture Center. The evening’s festivities will conclude with refreshments and entertainment in the Great Hall, Culture Center. This year’s Rotunda Christmas tree will feature “energy-themed” ornaments that were submitted for the 2009 ornament contest and made by students from across the state. Gov. Manchin and First Lady Gayle are also inviting all West Virginians to a Holiday Open House from 2-5 p.m. on Saturday Dec. 5 at the Governor’s Mansion.

444

The Governor’s Office also mentioned that, “Toys for Tots volunteers will have a table stationed at the Capitol Rotunda to receive new, unwrapped toys. The governor and first lady encourage attendees to bring a gift with them this year and help spread the holiday cheer to those less fortunate.”

444

The work on the track for the Ridge Runner is moving along at the Bluefield City Park. Estimates indicate that about 75 percent of the old track and ties have been removed. The grade will be improved and new ties will replace all of the old ones. T-shirts in all sizes, from toddler to adult, are available at various locations around town. Proceeds are to help the Ridge Runner project.

444

There you have it, a few comments on items of interest to the area. I hope that skies are blue today and that tomorrow you have a bountiful meal and a wonderful Thanksgiving Day.

Wilson Butt, a resident of Bluefield, is a retired Department of Highways official.