Letters from an American: Thanksgiving and the Civil War
Episode: November 27, 2024
Release Date: November 28, 2024
Produced by: Soundscape Productions, Dedham, Massachusetts
Music Composed by: Michael Moss
Heather Cox Richardson delves into the historical evolution of Thanksgiving in her episode, exploring its origins, transformation during the Civil War, and the role it played in uniting a fractured nation.
1. The Original Thanksgiving: A Forgotten Celebration
Timestamp: [00:07]
Richardson begins by recounting the traditional narrative of Thanksgiving, highlighting that the widely celebrated holiday is often misremembered. While the Pilgrims and Wampanoags did share a harvest celebration in Plymouth in the fall of 1621, this moment of peace was quickly overshadowed by subsequent conflicts between settlers and indigenous peoples.
“The Pilgrims and the Wampanoags did indeed share a harvest celebration together at Plymouth in fall 1621. But that moment got forgotten almost immediately, overwritten by the long history of the settlers’ attacks on their indigenous neighbors.”
— Heather Cox Richardson [00:07]
2. Rediscovery and the Push for a National Holiday
Timestamp: [00:50]
In 1841, a resurgence of interest in Plymouth Colony’s early records brought the 1621 celebration back into public consciousness. This rekindled story inspired Sarah Josepha Hale, editor of Godey's Ladies Book, to advocate for a national Thanksgiving. Hale believed that such a holiday could bridge growing sectional tensions between the slaveholding South and the free North.
3. The Civil War Alters Thanksgiving’s Meaning
Timestamp: [02:30]
The outbreak of the Civil War on April 12, 1861, marked a pivotal shift in the significance of Thanksgiving. Southern leaders, intent on seceding from the Union, redefined the holiday from one of unity and gratitude to a symbol amidst conflict.
“Southern leaders wanted to destroy the United States of America and create their own country, based not in the traditional American idea that all men are created equal, but rather in its opposite that some men were better than others and had the right to enslave their neighbors.”
— Heather Cox Richardson [02:50]
4. State Proclamations Amidst War
Timestamp: [04:15]
As the war progressed into its second year, maintaining national morale became crucial. Seventeen state governors declared Thanksgiving holidays during November and December of 1862. For instance, New York Governor Edwin Morgan emphasized the solemnity of the times while reinforcing gratitude.
“The precious blood shed in the cause of our country will hallow and strengthen our love and our reverence for it and its institutions...”
— Governor Edwin Morgan [04:45]
5. Lincoln’s National Thanksgiving Declarations
Timestamp: [06:10]
Responding to state proclamations, President Abraham Lincoln officially established a national day of Thanksgiving on July 15, following significant Union victories such as Gettysburg and Vicksburg. This declaration aimed to bolster public spirits by acknowledging military successes and the collective sacrifices made.
“After two years of disasters, the Union army was finally winning. Bloody, yes, battered, yes, but winning.”
— Heather Cox Richardson [06:30]
6. The Gettysburg Address and Thanksgiving
Timestamp: [08:50]
On November 19, 1863, Lincoln delivered his iconic Gettysburg Address, tying the principles of the Declaration of Independence to the ongoing struggle for unity and equality. This speech underscored the profound connection between national values and the act of giving thanks during wartime.
“Fourscore and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.”
— Abraham Lincoln [08:55]
7. Renewed Hope and National Prosperity
Timestamp: [10:20]
In October 1863, Lincoln proclaimed a second National Day of Thanksgiving, celebrating not only military advancements but also social and economic progress. He highlighted the nation’s resilience, industrial growth, and the promise of emancipation as reasons for gratitude.
“Americans had maintained their laws and their institutions and had kept foreign countries from meddling with their nation... the country, he predicted, with a large increase of freedom, would survive stronger and more prosperous than ever.”
— Heather Cox Richardson [10:30]
8. Conclusion: Unity Through Thanksgiving
Timestamp: [12:00]
Richardson concludes by reflecting on the transformative power of Thanksgiving during the Civil War. What began as a forgotten harvest celebration became a unifying tradition that sustained the nation through its darkest hours, reinforcing democratic ideals and laying the groundwork for a more equitable future.
“Americans rallied and threw their hearts into the cause on the battlefields, even as they continued to work on the home front for a government that defended democracy and equality before the law.”
— Heather Cox Richardson [11:50]
Final Thoughts
Through meticulous narration and historical analysis, Heather Cox Richardson illuminates how Thanksgiving evolved from a localized harvest festival into a symbol of national unity and resilience during the Civil War. The episode underscores the enduring significance of gratitude and collective memory in shaping American identity.
Produced by: Soundscape Productions, Dedham, Massachusetts
Recorded with music composed by: Michael Moss