We all likely relate Thanksgiving to turkey, stuffing, cranberries, green bean casseroles and pumpkin pie. In fact, today might be a good time to reset your scales back about ten pounds. You know on Thursday you will likely indulge in way too much food in celebration of Thanksgiving – and because you can!
In 1621, English Pilgrims held a celebration of good harvest meal at Plymouth Plantation in Massachusetts. They shared that meal with their Native American neighbors. On September 28, 1789, the first Federal Congress passed a resolution asking that the President recommend to the nation a day of thanksgiving. On November 26, 1789, George Washington issued a proclamation naming Thursday November 26, 1789, as a “Day of Public Thanksgiving”.
While turkey is the star of Thanksgiving, it has not always been the case. That very first Thanksgiving in 1621 including serving venison as the main course. The Native Americans killed five deer as a gift for the English colonists to enjoy with their feast.
While millions of Americans tune in to watch the Detroit Lions play each Thanksgiving, you may not know the history. Back in 1934, the team took on the undefeated, defending World Champion Chicago Bears. Despite losing the inaugural game, the Lions have played football every Thanksgiving except between 1939 and 1944.
The nationally televised Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade has been marching since 1924. That year, the department store’s president, Herbert Strauss, organized a six-mile procession from Harlem to his store in Herald Square. The parade featured animals from the Central Park Zoo and was nearly three times as long as it is today: for the purposes of television filming, the route was reduced to 2.5 miles.
Each Thanksgiving, the president of the United States ‘pardons’ a hand-selected turkey, sending it to a farm where it lives out the rest of its days. Contrary to popular belief, President George HW Bush was not the first president to grant such a pardon. The tradition dates back to Abraham Lincoln, whose son Tad begged him to write a presidential pardon for the bird intended to be served for the First Family’s Christmas dinner. Tad argued that the turkey had “just as much a right to live as anyone”. Lincoln complied, and the turkey was spared.
Thanksgiving brings family together from near and far. If your cooking duties keep you from picking up grandma and grandpa, let Ecko Worldwide Transportation help. We provide service in more than 1100 cities across the globe. Whether you need family picked up at the airport, from home across town or from a location that is a few hours away, you can provide your family with a safe and comfortable ride at an affordable cost. Visit our website at www.eckolimo.com to book online or call us at 877-FLY-ECKO. We will get your loved ones home to you for the Thanksgiving feast – Any City – Any Time.