As Thanksgiving approaches, the American
annual tradition of reflection continues. This is both a personal act and a
national act. The history of this tradition has its roots in
New England. Pilgrim Hall Museum, America’s Museum of Pilgrim Possessions,
organizes a collection that tells the story of origin and history of Thanksgiving.
The collection of presidential proclamations online is a unique glimpse into
the past.
The tradition of issuing a proclamation
for Thanksgiving dates back to the Continental Congress. The modern tradition
of Thanksgiving Proclamations dates to the presidency of Abraham Lincoln. Since
Lincoln, a presidential proclamation has announced the modern holiday. No
matter the challenge Presidents have taken a moment to express gratitude for
the blessings enjoyed. This holiday take
heart from the words of Presidents, past and current, and have a happy peaceful
holiday.
“We
have not lost our faith in the spiritual dignity of man, our proud belief in
the right of all people to live out their lives in freedom and with equal
treatment. The love of democracy still burns brightly in our hearts.”
-Franklin
Delano Roosevelt, 1941
“We give thanks with the humility of
free men, each knowing it was the might of no one arm but of all together by
which we were saved. Liberty knows no race, creed, or class in our country or
in the world. In unity we found our first weapon, for without it, both here and
abroad, we were doomed. “
-Harry Truman, 1945
“All about us, doubts and fears threaten
our faith in the principles which are the fiber of our society; we are called
upon to prove their truth once again.
Such challenges must be seen as opportunities for proof of these verities; such
proof can only strengthen our Nation.”
-Richard Nixon, 1970
“I
encourage the people of the United States to join together — whether in our
homes, places of worship, community centers, or any place of fellowship for
friends and neighbors — and give thanks for all we have received in the past
year, express appreciation to those whose lives enrich our own, and share our bounty
with others.”
-Barack Obama, 2015
_______________________________________________________________________
Obama, Barack. "Presidential
Proclamation -- Thanksgiving Day, 2015." The White House. The White
House, 20 Nov. 2015. Web. 24 Nov. 2015.
Thanksgiving Proclamations. Pilgrim Hall Museum.
Pilgrim Hall Museum, 13 Dec. 2012. Web. 24 Nov. 2015.
There is
an old saying: Beer is liquid
bread. There’s no doubt that beer has
been just as important in history as bread, and just as ubiquitous. Beer was first brewed thousands of years ago
by ancient Mesopotamians and Egyptians, and some form of beer or cider has been
commonly consumed by people of all ages in cultures around the world ever
since, more commonly consumed than water in some places and times. In the
United States, there’s been a huge boom in homebrew and craft beer making, and
beer lovers have more choices than ever before.
So, when my wife and I first saw jellies made from beer at an event a
few years ago, it made sense. We make
jellies from fruit juices, why not beer jellies? Fortunately, fellow Histocrat Margaret Duncan
and her husband David are homebrew hobbyists and graciously offered to supply
varieties, including historic recipes like a porter from 1744and a pilsner from
the early 20th century, for our experiments.
