• Part 3- How Thanksgiving Evolved After Lincoln

  • Nov 1 2024
  • Length: 22 mins
  • Podcast

Part 3- How Thanksgiving Evolved After Lincoln

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  • The transformation of Thanksgiving from a presidential proclamation to a cherished national tradition took place gradually over decades following the Civil War, shaped by changing social conditions, technological advances, and evolving American values. The period from Lincoln's death through the end of the 19th century saw Thanksgiving adapt to an America that was rapidly industrializing, urbanizing, and absorbing waves of new immigrants. Each president following Lincoln issued their own Thanksgiving proclamations, maintaining the last Thursday in November tradition. These proclamations reflected the changing concerns of the nation, from Reconstruction through the Gilded Age. President Grant's 1869 proclamation emphasized the completion of the transcontinental railroad, while President Cleveland's 1885 declaration focused on the growing prosperity of American industry. The standardization of Thanksgiving observance across the country was aided by the railroad system, which by the 1870s made travel for family gatherings increasingly feasible. Railroad companies promoted special "Thanksgiving excursion" fares, helping establish the tradition of traveling home for the holiday. An 1874 advertisement from the Pennsylvania Railroad promised, "Visit home for Thanksgiving - Special rates for family reunions." Urban celebrations began to develop their own distinct character. In New York City, the tradition of Thanksgiving Day parades began in the 1870s, originally organized by department stores like Macy's to mark the beginning of the Christmas shopping season. These celebrations merged Old World carnival traditions with American marketing innovation, creating spectacles that would become holiday fixtures. The late 19th century saw Thanksgiving increasingly intertwined with American sports culture. The tradition of Thanksgiving football games began at the collegiate level, with Yale and Princeton first meeting on Thanksgiving Day in 1876. By the 1890s, thousands of football games were being played across the country on Thanksgiving, from professional matches to informal neighborhood contests. The sport became so closely associated with the holiday that ministers complained about football replacing religious services as the day's primary focus. Immigration during this period significantly influenced Thanksgiving traditions. New arrivals adapted the holiday to include their own cultural elements while embracing its American significance. Jewish immigrants in New York created kosher Thanksgiving recipes, while Italian Americans incorporated pasta courses into their celebrations. Rather than diluting the holiday's meaning, these adaptations strengthened its role as a uniquely American celebration that could embrace diversity. The commercialization of Thanksgiving accelerated during the Gilded Age. By the 1880s, department stores had established "Thanksgiving windows" as elaborate as their Christmas displays. Turkey suppliers developed nationwide distribution networks, making the traditional bird available even in regions where it wasn't native. The first commercial canned cranberry sauce appeared in 1912, marking the beginning of convenience foods associated with the holiday. Women's magazines played a crucial role in standardizing Thanksgivin
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