Two centuries later, President Abraham Lincoln ensured that the original Thanksgiving would be remembered by making it a national holiday in 1863.
We celebrate Thanksgiving in so many ways now. Big meals. College and pro football on TV. And, most of all, with family. It’s a time to catch up, a time to reconnect. And, most of all, a time to give thanks – as Americans forefathers did – for the blessings we’ve received.
This remains a story worth telling and sharing. Some 102 Pilgrims arrived from England in 1620 aboard The Mayflower, a tiny ship by contemporary standards. In search of religious freedom, they found a new land, a new home, and the chance to worship free of restraint while trying to establish a prosperous future for those who remained.
Their first winter in what became the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, was so brutal that the new colonists remained aboard the ship, where they still suffered from exposure, scurvy and outbreaks of disease. By spring, they moved ashore where they were greeted by an Abenaki Native American who spoke to them in their English tongue.
The year would be filled with hardship and turmoil. But in November 1621, when the colonists’ first corn crop proved to be a success, Gov. William Bradford called for a celebratory feast, inviting the newcomers’ allies, the Wampanoag, to join them.
At Doing More Today, we help celebrate Thanksgiving with a selection of free ecards – one of which offers the perfect sentiment you’ll want to share with friends, family and even co-workers.
Just don’t stop there. Our e-cards cover holidays, seasons and events from Christmas to anniversaries to graduation. Take a few minutes to find one that’s right for you. And check back with us often, as we add to our array of options regularly.