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Joined: Thu Feb 13, 2003 5:13 pm Posts: 36989 Location: Ohio - USA
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Yes, it is ... thanks Doc ! ?We Yanks enjoy our very own Holiday ! ?(I only had to work 3.5 hrs today ! ) ?The History Channel ?just had a great show about the origins of Thanksgiving ! ?Well the short answer is the English Puritans brought it over from the Old English Holiday of Harvest Home, celebrating the fall harvest. ?In 1621 after surviving a hard New England (the current state of Massachusetts) winter. ?The religious Puritans celebrated their survival with a feast of sorts, based on the Harvest Home Feast. ?And invited the local native Americans to thank them for helping the English (survivors) with growning crops, etc. It wasn't really declared a "national" holiday until 1863 during the American Civil War, as an act of solidarity/unification of the Northern States ... ?However was not celebrated in the Southern States till years after the War (1861-1865). ?Today it's a big meal with many watching Football on TV, and tomorrow being a HUGH shopping day for Christmas. ?The "Feast" usually includes Roast Turkey, mashed potatos, sweet potatos, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, etc. ! ? But with the varied ethnic cultures in the USA not all eat the traditional meal. ?For example some Italians, (my nationality,) have pasta, egg plant, etc.! ?However, my family ate the more traditional! ?That's the short answer, but it's level of meaning varies, the more religious go to church before the meal, the American Indians see it as the beginning of the end of their culture and most just see it as an other day off or overtime, a lot of good food and TV watching (football games, parades etc.)! ? Hope that helps ! ?Oh yes, the night before is a big bar/pub night out with many of the kids home from college, the service or just coming back home with wife & kids to be with family ! ? ? 
_________________ Legion 4 "Cry Havoc, and let slip the Dogs of War !" ... "People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf."
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