Happy Thanksgiving To Our American A2K'ers

This is pure myth--part of the "New England-centric" mythic history of the United States. Them boys up in Massachusselly did a hell of a job of making it all about themselves.

The victory of Meade's army over Lee's army at Gettysburg was a watershed in the course of the war. Even though the handwriting was already on the wall for the South, thanks to the uniformly successful campaigning in what was known as the West--the focus of political discourse was on the East, and the Gettysburg victory was a great relief to Lincoln, who would face a tough re-election campaign in the following year. In October of that year, he issued his day of thanksgiving proclamation, and it has been observed ever since. It was a wise political move, and, for once, the politics were forgotten, and have been replaced by a sincere and devout love of overeating and televised football.

That picture is pretty damned funny for another reason, too. Them Puritan boys and girls would have starved to death if the Indians had not fed them.

Setanta wrote:

This is pure myth--part of the "New England-centric" mythic history of the United States. Them boys up in Massachusselly did a hell of a job of making it all about themselves.

The victory of Meade's army over Lee's army at Gettysburg was a watershed in the course of the war. Even though the handwriting was already on the wall for the South, thanks to the uniformly successful campaigning in what was known as the West--the focus of political discourse was on the East, and the Gettysburg victory was a great relief to Lincoln, who would face a tough re-election campaign in the following year. In October of that year, he issued his day of thanksgiving proclamation, and it has been observed ever since. It was a wise political move, and, for once, the politics were forgotten, and have been replaced by a sincere and devout love of overeating and televised football.

I thought the meaning of Thanksgiving was to give thanks to the early colonists for eventually making this a diverse society where many can live comfortably, rather than the ethnocentric, religious exclusivity, of many a European country? Personally, I give thanks to this country being "a great Protestant nation." I could not imagine us being a world power if this was just another "Catholic country." It almost seems like God's plan, since tough times need tough characters.

give a monthly parcel and donation to the local food bank

don't put much stock in the specifics of the holiday or event

. . . Personally, I give thanks to this country being "a great Protestant nation."
I could not imagine us being a world power if this was just another "Catholic
country." It almost seems like God's plan, since tough times need tough
characters.

Enjoy! And have a happy!