A holiday in which we are thankful for everything we have is an American tradition stretching back to the earliest American days.
While the era in which Thanksgiving started is one of questionable morals and actions by the very first Americans towards Native Americans, it’s one that has evolved throughout the centuries and is now one that–rather ironically–celebrates togetherness and humbleness. Here are a few facts about the great holiday that is Thanksgiving Day.
- The Pilgrims’ first-ever Thanksgiving took three days in Plymouth, Massachusetts.
- Thanksgiving is always the last Thursday in November.
- Governor William Bradford planned the very first Thanksgiving dinner.
- The Pilgrims of the era did not likely eat turkey. Rather, they feasted on lobster, hickory nuts, cabbage, goat cheese, and squash.
- Turkey was considered to be an incredibly American bird–in fact, it almost became the symbol of freedom, instead of the majestic bald eagle.
- Benjamin Franklin campaigned for the turkey, not the bald eagle, to be declared as the national bird.
- Eating turkey gained traction after President Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1863.
- Congress finally designated Thanksgiving as a federal holiday in 1941.
- For the past 67 years, the standing President of the U.S.A. has pardoned a turkey to live on a farm until they die of old age.
- The Wednesday before Thanksgiving Day has the most liquor sales of the entire year–beating the 4th of July, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve!
- There are about 46 million turkeys eaten every year.
- Contrary to popular belief, turkey does not make you more tired. It contains no more tryptophan than cheese or chicken. What does make you tired is stuffing your face with so much food, your insulin levels rise to dissipate all the sugar in your blood–which then makes you groggy.
Impress your guests this Thanksgiving with these fun facts. But the only way you can protect yourself against any accidents that happen is by knowing that you have the right home insurance policy. Contact Purves & Associates Insurance Services for all of your insurance needs.