Thanksgiving Day is celebrated each year in the United States and Canada as a day to reflect on the harvest season and express gratitude for the year’s blessings. Although our modern traditions are filled with football, parades, and a feast shared among family and friends, Thanksgiving has a long and rich history that extends back to the early days of American colonization.
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Thanksgiving’s Early Beginnings: The 1621 Feast
The tradition we know today traces its roots back to 1621, when English Pilgrims and the Wampanoag people came together for a harvest feast. After a peace treaty had been established between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag, the two groups gathered for a three-day celebration that would become the inspiration for Thanksgiving as we know it. The colonists and Native Americans enjoyed a meal featuring locally available foods, marking a brief period of harmony and mutual aid.
Thanksgiving Becomes a National Holiday
Although regional Thanksgiving celebrations became common in the colonies, it wasn’t until 1863—more than two centuries later—that Thanksgiving was proclaimed a national holiday. President Abraham Lincoln designated the last Thursday in November as a time for Americans to pause and reflect, providing unity and comfort during the Civil War. This date held until 1939, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt moved Thanksgiving to the fourth Thursday of November to lengthen the Christmas shopping season and boost the economy in the wake of the Great Depression.
What’s on the Menu? Then and Now
Turkey has become the quintessential Thanksgiving dish, but historically, it was often too costly for some families. In the past, chicken and beef were popular alternatives on Thanksgiving tables. These meats were paired with classic accompaniments like cranberry sauce and mince pie. A 1910 magazine humorously remarked that “only overeating and nervousness made people ill from it”—a sentiment many of us can relate to today.
In the early 20th century, Bellingham locals had unique options to make Thanksgiving preparations festive. Shoppers could receive free balloons and shopping bags at Howard’s Market on Railroad Avenue, and several stores offered special turkey promotions. Weisfield & Goldberg provided an eight-pound dressed turkey for shoppers spending over $24, and a free turkey came with every purchase of a Monarch Range from B.B. Furniture Company. For dessert, Fisher’s Bakery sold freshly baked pumpkin and mince pies, while Hillview Dairy on Cornwall offered ice cream in whimsical, individual turkey-shaped molds.
Thanksgiving Events and Festivities
Thanksgiving was more than just a family holiday. Many churches held special services, gatherings, and parties to celebrate the season, while the Eagles hosted an annual grand ball on Thanksgiving night. At Lowell School, sixth graders from the junior high performed a reenactment of “The First Thanksgiving,” bringing the holiday’s origins to life for the community. Thanksgiving Day football games were also a tradition at Western Washington University, offering excitement and school spirit.
Helping Those in Need: Thanksgiving and Giving Back
Generosity and kindness have long been at the heart of Thanksgiving. Various local organizations ensured that families in need could celebrate with a meal, thanks to food drives and donations. From then to now, our community has upheld a tradition of coming together and helping each other, particularly during the holiday season.
As we look forward to this year’s Thanksgiving, we at Julian and Company want to express our gratitude for our wonderful community, clients, and partners. May you and your loved ones have a joyful holiday season filled with warmth, togetherness, and plenty to be thankful for.
