Stuff You Missed in History Class: Thanksgiving vs. Franksgiving
Episode Title: Thanksgiving vs. Franksgiving
Release Date: November 20, 2024
Hosts: Holly Frey and Tracy V Wilson
Produced by: iHeartPodcasts
Introduction
In the November 20, 2024 episode of Stuff You Missed in History Class, hosts Holly Frey and Tracy V Wilson delve into the intriguing and contentious history of Thanksgiving in the United States, with a particular focus on President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's controversial attempt to alter the holiday's date—a move that earned it the pejorative nickname "Franksgiving." This episode provides a comprehensive exploration of Thanksgiving's origins, its evolution into a national holiday, and the political and social ramifications of changing its traditional observance.
The Origins and Evolution of Thanksgiving
Early Celebrations and Proclamations
The episode begins by tracing the roots of Thanksgiving, highlighting that while many cultures have harvest festivals or days of gratitude, the American Thanksgiving amalgamates elements from both indigenous traditions and European harvest celebrations. Holly notes:
"American Thanksgiving, with the traditional menu of foods like turkey and stuffing in cranberry sauce and sweet potatoes or yams, has elements of both of those things." (04:13)
The commonly cited first Thanksgiving in Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1621, is discussed, emphasizing that it wasn't initially called "Thanksgiving" and featured a different array of dishes compared to today's customary fare. The hosts underscore that historical accounts often romanticized this event, overlooking the complex and often dark interactions between European settlers and indigenous populations.
Presidential Involvement and Standardization
The narrative progresses to the Continental Congress's first Thanksgiving proclamation on November 1, 1777, celebrating American victories during the Revolutionary War. Holly reads a portion of the proclamation:
"…it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God… It is therefore recommended to the legislative or executive power of these United States to set APART Thursday the 18th day of December next for solemn thanksgiving and praise." (07:59)
Tracy V Wilson highlights that subsequent proclamations continued to tie Thanksgiving to wartime victories and national morale, with varying dates chosen by different administrations.
Sarah Josepha Hale’s Advocacy for a National Holiday
A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to Sarah Josepha Hale, a prominent advocate for establishing a unified national Thanksgiving holiday. Tracy explains:
"Hale started advocating for a national holiday to be held on the last Thursday in November in 1837. She saw this as something that might hold the nation together as states became increasingly divided over the issue of slavery." (20:46)
Despite her persistent efforts, it wasn't until the Civil War that Thanksgiving began to take on its modern national significance, reflecting Hale's vision of uniting the country through a shared observance.
Thanksgiving During the Civil War
During the Civil War, both President Abraham Lincoln and Confederate President Jefferson Davis issued Thanksgiving proclamations. Lincoln's proclamation in 1863 established the last Thursday in November as the official date:
"I make it my earnest desire the people will manifest their gratitude for the blessings of the past year by expressing it with sober and grateful hearts in a day of thanksgiving and prayer…" (21:22)
This move was intended to foster national unity and support for the war effort, embedding Thanksgiving deeper into the American national identity.
Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Attempt to Change Thanksgiving
Context: The Great Depression
Fast forward to the 1930s, the United States grapples with the Great Depression's economic hardships. President Franklin D. Roosevelt seeks innovative solutions to stimulate the economy, one of which is altering the Thanksgiving holiday to extend the Christmas shopping season.
Initial Considerations in 1933
In Roosevelt's first Thanksgiving in office in 1933, the idea of moving the holiday was contemplated but ultimately rejected to avoid confounding established traditions and business practices.
"Roosevelt ultimately decided that trying to move the date of Thanksgiving away from the last Thursday in November would probably cause confusion. So he didn't do it." (25:39)
The 1939 Shift: “Franksgiving”
However, in 1939, Roosevelt revisits the idea. Observing Thanksgiving on November 30th, the last Thursday of November that year, Roosevelt privately suggests moving it earlier to November 23rd to boost retail sales.
"…there was nothing sacred about the last Thursday in November. So he would be designating November 23rd, not the 30th, as a day for general Thanksgiving that year." (27:39)
This unilateral decision disrupts long-standing traditions and leads to widespread confusion. The term "Franksgiving" emerges as a portmanteau of "Franklin" and "Thanksgiving," encapsulating public resentment toward Roosevelt's move.
Public and Political Backlash
The backlash is swift and intense. Confusion over dates affects sports schedules, particularly major football games, and disrupts calendars that were already printed with November 30th as Thanksgiving. Notable reactions include:
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James Frazier, chairman of the Board of Selectmen of Plymouth, Massachusetts, states:
"… we in Plymouth consider the day sacred." (28:33)
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Business Associations criticize the move, with the president of the National Poultry, Butter, and Egg Association warning that the change would harm producers and disrupt marketing plans.
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Political Figures like former President Alf Landon condemn the decision:
"The President's sudden attempt to change Thanksgiving Day is another illustration of the confusion which his impulsiveness has caused so frequently during his administration." (29:43)
A Gallup poll encapsulates the national divide:
"Democrats supported the move by a very slim margin of 52 to 48, while Republicans opposed it 79 to 21." (33:21)
Additionally, letters flooded in with polarized opinions, some even making extreme political comparisons.
State Responses and Confusion
States responded inconsistently—some adopting the new date and others adhering to the traditional Thursday. This inconsistency led to logistical nightmares, especially in border regions where families and businesses spanned multiple states observing different Thanksgiving dates.
Resolution and Legislation
The chaos and lack of economic benefit from the 1939 shift prompted Congress to step in. In October 1941, the House passed a resolution, and the Senate amended it to designate Thanksgiving as the fourth Thursday in November. President Roosevelt signed this into law on December 26, 1941, effectively ending the "Franksgiving" controversy.
"… Congress agreed on these 12 amendments. … Roosevelt signed this into law on December 26, 1941." (36:13)
This legislative action standardized Thanksgiving, ensuring uniform observance across all states and eliminating further confusion.
Legacy of Franksgiving
Despite the official resolution, remnants of the controversy lingered. Cultural references, such as the 1942 film Holiday Inn, humorously addressed the confusion caused by the fluctuating Thanksgiving dates. The term "Franksgiving" remains a historical example of the complexities involved in altering ingrained national traditions and the unforeseen consequences of political decisions on cultural practices.
Conclusion: The Enduring Significance of Thanksgiving
Holly and Tracy reflect on the deep-rooted significance of Thanksgiving in American culture. They emphasize that while political attempts to modify such traditions can lead to public uproar and logistical challenges, the nation's attachment to communal observances like Thanksgiving underscores their role in fostering unity and gratitude.
"Who knew Thanksgiving was so fraught?" (39:59)
"Who knew that changing the date of Thanksgiving would lead to one being compared to Hitler?" (40:02)
This episode underscores the interplay between tradition, politics, and national identity, illustrating how a holiday as cherished as Thanksgiving can become a battleground for broader societal issues.
Timestamp Reference Guide:
- 04:13 – Traditional elements of American Thanksgiving
- 07:59 – Continental Congress's 1777 Thanksgiving proclamation
- 20:46 – Sarah Josepha Hale’s advocacy for Thanksgiving
- 21:22 – Lincoln's 1863 Thanksgiving proclamation
- 25:39 – Roosevelt's initial decision against moving Thanksgiving in 1933
- 27:39 – Roosevelt’s decision to designate November 23rd as Thanksgiving in 1939
- 28:33 – James Frazier’s statement on the sanctity of Thanksgiving
- 29:43 – Alf Landon condemns Roosevelt’s move
- 33:21 – Gallup poll results on public opinion of changing Thanksgiving
- 36:13 – Congress and Roosevelt formalize the fourth Thursday in November as Thanksgiving
- 39:59 – Hosts reflect on the Thanksgiving controversy
- 40:02 – Final reflection on the extremity of reactions to changing Thanksgiving's date
This detailed exploration of Thanksgiving vs. Franksgiving provides listeners with a nuanced understanding of how economic pressures, political decisions, and cultural values intersect in shaping national traditions. The episode serves as a compelling case study on the complexities inherent in altering established societal norms.