Don Canney

While researching an old online copy of a November 1964 Telegraph, I came upon an interesting article relative to the origin of the modern celebration of Thanksgiving Day in America.

For many of us, the typical Thanksgiving Day female figure in our lives would probably be our Moms, who back in the day would brandish multiple cutleries, pots, pans, and dishes, then weather over a hot stove to prepare what eventually became a triumph of a meal. One which took countless hours to prepare and only minutes to devour.

I can remember my mom back in the 60’s cooking a tremendous Butterball with mashed potatoes, gravy, turnips, carrots, pies, and, as they say, “all the fixin’s.” The turkey and most of the meal’s ingredients probably came from the former 20th Century Market on Main Street near City Hall, where we would shop and pay a whopping 25 cents for delivery. Or perhaps the old Currier’s Meat Market on the corner of West Pearl and Elm. Looking back, I am amazed at the folks behind the counter there. They would scurry back and forth from the meat cases to the slicers, then wrap each purchase in white paper, tape it, then write the price on the package in pencil. When you were done shopping, they would tally up the cost of your order on a bag, again in pencil. No calculators here folks, only plain in-your-head math. Enough to make any teacher smile.

At the time, we would turn a blind eye to all of the work involved for one meal, but now, for those of us involved in its preparation, we look back in awe at how easy Mom made it look. Admittedly, today my cooking skills are quite limited, but I am part of the preparation and clean up team.

Many of us look back and thank our Moms for all the work they did to ensure our holiday meals ran like clockwork. But there is one woman, who is specifically noted as responsible for the day that we all celebrate as a national holiday.

That November 1964 Telegraph article cited Mrs. Sarah J. Hale, Editor of Godey’s Lady’s Book, as the perpetuator of the holiday we celebrate today. Thanksgiving was originally only celebrated in the northeast, giving thanks for bountiful harvests. But Mrs. Hale tirelessly lobbied President Abraham Lincoln in 1863 for its recognition as a national holiday and eventually Lincoln proclaimed the fourth Thursday in November as Thanksgiving Day. Succeeding presidents did the same until Franklin Roosevelt established the third Thursday in November 1939 as the official national holiday, then a joint resolution of Congress changed it back to the fourth Thursday, as we celebrate it today.

The article goes on to say, “Companies of New York City residents used to celebrate the day by parading noisily through the streets dressed in bizarre costumes.” My first thought when reading this? It sounded to me like a possible forerunner of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

This year will indeed be a different Thanksgiving for all of us. Some of us may have to visit with distant relatives and friends remotely. Granted, a Zoom or Facetime meeting does little for ambiance and the aroma of food cooking on the stove, or someone screaming for a touchdown while watching a football game with the smell of wood burning in a woodstove. It may also dampen the togetherness of the holiday. But we can still share stories and update each other on what is going on in our lives.

This year is one that we are all anxious to put behind us. Keep in mind it is almost over. But let us take the opportunity to make the best of what we have. A roof over our heads and food in our bellies is something many less fortunate folks do not have.

For those who practice a particular religion, remember to thank your God for all you have.

And thank you Mrs. Hale, for your part in creating this American holiday, where families get together to be family, to give thanks for what we have and for those around us. Stay safe and have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Don Canney is a freelance writer and professional voice artist. He was born and raised in downtown Nashua with great interest in Nashua history circa 1950-1970. He now resides in Litchfield.

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