Sarah Hale worked tirelessly to establish Thanksgiving as a National Holiday with President Lincoln in 1863. She was also the first advocating for women as teachers in public schools, and day nurseries to help working mothers. You may know her from her poem “Mary Had a Little Lamb.” She believed a National Thanksgiving Holiday would unite Americans and awaken in their hearts the love of home and country, of thankfulness to God, and peace between brethren.
The first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade took place in New York City in 1924 featuring animals from Central Park’s Zoo.
In 1953 Swanson decided to uniquely repackage their 26 tons of unsold Thanksgiving frozen turkeys, creating the first ever TV dinner.
The Pilgrims’ Thanksgiving in 1621 lasted three days and included 50 surviving pilgrims and 90 Indians. Their menu included berries, shellfish, boiled pumpkin, and deer. Historians believe only 5 women were present as many didn’t survive the harsh environment.
1876 marked the first
Thanksgiving football game.
US Astronauts Neil Armstrong & Buzz Aldrin’s first meal in space after walking on the moon was roasted turkey.