In 1621, Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Indians shared an Autumn Harvest Feast; it is acknowledged today as one of the first Thanksgiving Celebrations in the Colonies.
For more than 2 Centuries, Thanksgiving has been celebrated by people in individual colonies and states. It wasn’t until 1863, in the midst of the Civil War, that President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed National Thanksgiving Day to be celebrated each November.
Sarah Joseph hale, the enormously influential magazine editor and author who waged a tireless campaign to make Thanksgiving a National Holiday in the mid 19th Century, was also the author of the classic Nursery Rhyme “Mary had a Little Lamb.”
In 2001, the U.S. Postal Service issued a commemorative Thanksgiving stamp. Designed by artist, Margaret Cusack, in a style resembling traditional folk-art needle work, it depicted a cornucopia overflowing with fruits and vegetables and under it the phrase ” We Give Thanks” was proudly displayed.
Thanksgiving is a day when many Americans gather together with family for an afternoon of festive food and lively football, but just how far do people travel to spend turkey day at Grandma’s house? Which state grows the most Cranberries, and how big is the World’s largest pumpkin pie?
We’re glad you asked those questions. The American Automobile Association (AAA) estimated 44 Million Americans traveled 50 miles or more from home over the Thanksgiving Holiday weekend just 2 years ago.
Cranberry production in the U.S. was expected to reach 750 million pounds in 2011. Wisconsin, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oregon and Washington are the Top Cranberry growing states in America.
According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the largest baked pumpkin pie weighed 2,020 pounds and measured just over 12 feet long. It was baked on October 8, 2005 by New Bremen Giant Pumpkin Growers in Ohio, and included 900 lbs. of pumpkin, 62 gallons of evaporated milk, 155 dozen eggs, 300 lbs. of sugar, 3.5 lbs. of salt, 7 lbs. of cinnamon, 2 lbs. of pumpkin spice and 250 lbs. of crust.
Happy Thanksgiving, from Essanté Organics!