A Day for Thanksgiving by Bekka Wiedenmeyer - City News Group, Inc.
View Upcoming Events View Your Local Sales

Community Calendar

SEPTEMBER
S M T W T F S
30 31 01 02 03 04 05
06 07 08 09 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30 01 02 03
View Events
Submit Events
directory

A Day for Thanksgiving

By Bekka Wiedenmeyer, Community Writer
November 22, 2016 at 11:17am. Views: 319

ALL >> When people think of Thanksgiving, they usually think of pilgrims, Native Americans and a whole lot of turkey. Since the early 1600s, Americans have been unofficially celebrating the holiday of Thanksgiving, partly in thanks to the Native Americans who taught them self-sustenance and partly in thanks to God for providence. According to History.com, though George Washington and subsequent presidents issued proclamations designating days of thanks, it was not until Abraham Lincoln stepped into the presidency that an official day was set aside for thanksgiving. In 1863, as per the request of writer Sarah Josepha Hale, who had campaigned for a thanksgiving day for years, President Lincoln established Thanksgiving Day on the final Thursday in November. It was celebrated as such until 1939, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt attempted to move the holiday up a week so the National Retail Dry Goods Association would be appeased. It was the height of the Great Depression and sales were down, and they thought the change would be financially beneficial. The American people met this proclamation with derision, and President Roosevelt soon after signed another bill which made the fourth Thursday in November Thanksgiving Day. Today, Thanksgiving means the four F’s: friends, family, food and football. It means tripping out on tryptophan at 3 p.m., watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and taking an early nap so you can hit the stores for Black Friday sales at midnight. The religious undertones have been lost in the commercialism of the holiday, but the community aspect still remains. The Inland Empire not only celebrates Thanksgiving on an individual level, but on a community level, as well. In the past, cities like Moreno Valley, Colton and San Bernardino have provided Thanksgiving dinners to those in need, where people have given of their resources, time and efforts to make sure everyone can have something to be thankful for. This year, millions of turkeys will be consumed and billions of dollars spent. Knowing the history of how and why the holiday first got started, however, might bring things into an important perspective for a nation that sometimes forgets just how fortunate it is, even 250 years after its inception. Have a happy Thanksgiving!

Related Articles

Photo Courtesy of: AI-generated image by ChatGPT.

By WIlliam Cortez, Community Writer

September 8, 2026 at 08:44am. Views: 408

Atrial fibrillation, an irregular heart rhythm, is becoming increasingly common. Health experts encourage people to recognize potential warning signs and seek medical evaluation to help reduce the risk of serious complications.

Photo Courtesy of: Highgrove News

By Margie Miller- Publisher, Community Writer

November 30, -0001 at 12:00am. Views: 767

Barnett has served as the publisher of the Highgrove Happenings newspaper since 1994.Barnett will hold a free event, titled “Early Historic Pictures of Highgrove,” will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at the Norton Younglove Community Center, 459 Center Street in Highgrove.

Photo Courtesy of: Feeding America

By Rachel Bonilla, Community Writer

September 2, 2026 at 10:55pm. Views: 1088

According to the latest data available from Feeding America’s Map the Meal Gap study, 48 million people, including more than 14 million children, experienced food insecurity in 2024, the highest level since 2014. Of the communities FARSB serves, we see food insecurity range from a low of 13.8% in Riverside County to a high of 15.6% in San Bernardino County.

Photo Courtesy of: TME Photography by Titan Mom Elvira

By Titan Mom Elvira, Community Writer

September 2, 2026 at 10:55pm. Views: 1037

GTHS Senior and student-athlete Annaleya Flores is making her mark on the field and in the classroom while helping lead the Lady Titans during their inaugural GTHS Girls Flag Football season.

Photo Courtesy of: Office of Assemblymember James Ramos

By Carl M. Dameron, Contributing Writer

September 2, 2026 at 10:55pm. Views: 1127

California Assemblymember James Ramos is the keynote speaker at The Salvation Army’s Red Kettle Kickoff celebration, the official launch of the 2026 Christmas fundraising campaign. Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at 5:30 PM at the Bear Springs Event Center in Highland, California.

Photo Courtesy of: Margie Miller

By Margie Miller- Publisher, Community Writer

August 28, 2026 at 08:13am. Views: 1817

Mike Miller & Lori Miller, Restaurateurs of Timber Ridge Steakhouse, the newsest restaurant on Hospitality Lane in San Bernardino located in the familiar spot previously occupied by Claim Jumper, and for those of us "older folks", Bobby McGees. You can find Mike & Lori at 1905 Commercenter E San Bernardino CA, 92408

Photo Courtesy of: City of Moreno Valley

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

August 26, 2026 at 01:40pm. Views: 1387

Fall 2026 Soaring Activity Guide is hitting the mail this week, and it’s chock-full of all the exciting things the City has planned throughout the Fall.

Photo Courtesy of: City of Moreno Valley

By William Cortez, Community Writer

August 26, 2026 at 01:40pm. Views: 1058

When temperatures climb to 97 degrees and above, heat-sensitive residents may seek refuge at the City of Moreno Valley's designated cool centers.

Photo Courtesy of: City of Moreno Valley

By WIlliam Cortez, Community Writer

August 26, 2026 at 01:40pm. Views: 1116

he City of Moreno Valley has received the California Municipal Treasurers Association’s Investment Policy Certification, recognizing the City’s commitment to responsible and transparent management of public funds.

Photo Courtesy of: Feeding America Riverside San Bernardino

By Rachel Bonilla, Community Writer

August 26, 2026 at 01:40pm. Views: 1326

Photo Courtesy of: County of San Bernardino

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

August 26, 2026 at 01:40pm. Views: 1401

Between Aug. 3 and Aug. 9, investigators from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department – Gangs/Narcotics Division, along with deputies from patrol stations and personnel from partnering agencies, served 16 search warrants and contacted suspects throughout the county.

Photo Courtesy of: County of San Bernardino

By William Cortez, Community Writer

August 26, 2026 at 01:40pm. Views: 1180

Bloomington residents gathered at Ayala Park on Tuesday, Aug. 4, for a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating new improvements designed to enhance accessibility, safety and comfort for children and families.

--> -->