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Happy Thanksgiving
Sending you warm wishes for a joyous occasion that unites us all as Americans
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Above: American servicemen enjoy a Thanksgiving feast,1918
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Preceding even the American Founding, Thanksgiving is one of our country’s longest-standing traditions, with roots in both the Native American and European traditions.
Though our citizens come from all types of ethnic, religious, and political backgrounds, we come together as Americans to celebrate Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving wasn't made an official national holiday until 1863 in the midst of the Civil War. Consistent with the times, Lincoln's proclamation asked that citizens “fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility and Union."
Lincoln's hope for unity in the face of deep divisions inspires us today not to allow our differences to undermine what unites us as Americans. Thanksgiving gave citizens an opportunity to reflect on what unites as friends and family, and as a country—the belief that all men are created equal and entitled to their life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness.
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Lincoln's Son Spares the Turkey
In a rare moment of levity, this was also the year in which a White House turkey was first pardoned. According to White House reporter Noah Brooks, Lincoln's young son Tad interceded on behalf of the turkey, whose life was subsequently spared.
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Above: Peas the Turkey, pardoned in 2018
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Even during the most tumultuous times in American history, Thanksgiving has united us in tradition as friends, family, and citizens. The holiday was created in times of hardship to give us a moment to celebrate together and focus on what makes us grateful.
Thank you for being part of our family of supporters and educators. Wishing you good health and all the blessings our country has to offer this Thanksgiving. —From all of us at JMC
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The JMC's Thanksgiving Discovery Page
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If you would like to read about Thanksgiving and its place in American society, as well as first-hand accounts of the holiday and more, visit our Thanksgiving page!
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History can always teach us something about the present, but only if it remains a priority. Without knowledge of our past, we have no basis to make important decisions about our country's future.
JMC supports those teachers who are championing education in America's history and its founding principles. Our growing network of nearly 1,000 dedicated professors are making a difference on hundreds of campuses across the country. So far, they have taught more than one million students. Will you help us reach more?
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About the Jack Miller Center
The Jack Miller Center is a 501(c)(3) public charity with the mission to reinvigorate education in America's founding principles and history. We work to advance the teaching and study of America's history, its political and economic institutions, and the central principles, ideas and issues arising from the American and Western traditions—all of which continue to animate our national life.
We support professors and educators through programs, resources, fellowships and more to help them teach our nation's students.
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