Sarah Josepha Hale, a 19th-century writer and editor, played a pivotal role in making Thanksgiving a national holiday while advocating for unity during the Civil War. David Silverman, a history professor, provides essential context about the contrasting narratives of Thanksgiving, particularly the implications for Indigenous peoples. They explore Hale's relentless campaign and shed light on what the traditional story leaves out, ultimately questioning the complexities of American identity and the often overlooked histories that shape the holiday.
Sarah Josepha Hale's relentless advocacy for a national Thanksgiving led to its official establishment by President Lincoln during the Civil War.
The popular narrative of Thanksgiving as a harmonious feast obscures the violent historical context and struggles of Native Americans during colonization.
Deep dives
The Context of the First Thanksgiving
The idea of Thanksgiving often romanticizes the 1621 feast between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag tribe, presenting it as a moment of friendship and gratitude. However, this perspective overlooks the complex historical context, including the significant power dynamics favoring the Wampanoags, who vastly outnumbered the newcomers. The English colonists, struggling for survival, relied heavily on the Wampanoags for assistance, which adds depth to the narrative of their initial interaction. This deep historical context challenges the simplified story we often tell about Thanksgiving, revealing the need for a more nuanced understanding.
The Ignored Prelude to Conflict
The peace celebrated in the first Thanksgiving is starkly contrasted by the events leading up to King Philip's War, which erupted between the Wampanoags and the English colonists a mere 50 years later. Metacom, a chief of the Wampanoag, articulated the betrayal felt by his people as land and respect were stripped away, laying the groundwork for conflict. The war that followed was brutal and resulted in severe casualties, showcasing the grim reality of colonial relations. Remembering this conflict exposes the darker side of Thanksgiving's history and underscores the lasting impact of these events on Native populations.
Sarah Josepha Hale's Vision
Sarah Josepha Hale emerged as a pivotal figure advocating for Thanksgiving to be recognized as a national holiday. She believed that a shared day of celebration could unify a divided nation, especially as the specter of the Civil War loomed. Hale’s campaigns included personal letters to state governors and a persistent effort to persuade politicians of its importance, framing Thanksgiving as a moral and social necessity. Despite her efforts, the holiday faced significant political opposition until Hale's persistence finally contributed to the establishment of Thanksgiving as a national holiday by Abraham Lincoln in 1863.
The Evolution of Thanksgiving Myths
As Thanksgiving evolved, so too did the myths surrounding it, particularly the idealized image of Pilgrims and Native Americans celebrating together. This narrative gained traction in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and became a staple of American culture, encapsulated in artwork and educational curricula that emphasized unity and peace. However, these representations often sanitized the violent and oppressive history that accompanied colonial expansion, erasing the struggles faced by Native Americans. The persistent myth of an idyllic Thanksgiving distracts from the realities of historical injustices and the significance of diverse perspectives on the holiday.
The Thanksgiving story most of us hear is about friendship and unity. And that's what Sarah Josepha Hale had on her mind when she sat down to write a letter to President Lincoln in 1863, deep into the Civil War. Hale had already spent years campaigning for a national day of thanksgiving, using her platform as editor of one the country's most widely-read magazines and writing elected officials to argue that Americans urgently needed a national story. But she'd gotten nowhere – until now.
Five days after reading her letter, Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday. At the time, no one was talking about Pilgrims and Native Americans. But that too would change.
Today on the show: a Thanksgiving story you may not have heard, how it happened, and what it leaves out.