Free Republic

In 1963 President Kennedy recognized Berkeley Plantation as the site of the first official Thanksgiving when the small ship the Margaret landed at Harrison Landing on the James River (upstream from Jamestown) in 1619, carrying 38 men after a perilous journey from England. The small group of carefully chosen craftsmen immediately marked their arrival on Dec. 4, 1619 with an act of Thanksgiving, led by their Captain, John Woodlief. They fell on their knees on the riverbank, and Captain Woodlief ordained that this day should be commemeorated annually as a day of Prayer and Thanksgiving. This was not Captain Woodlief's...

Today, President Bush pardoned the National Thanksgiving Turkey and his alternate during the 60th Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation. Thousands of votes were cast to name the Thanksgiving Turkey and his alternate Thanksgiving at the White House, 2007 This year marks the 60th anniversary of the National Thanksgiving Turkey presentation. Though live Thanksgiving turkeys have been presented intermittently to presidents since the Lincoln administration, the current ceremony dates to 1947, when the first National Thanksgiving Turkey was presented to President Harry Truman.The presentation at times has brushed against broader history. For example, the November 1963 event was one of President...

Some Virginians are giving thanks early this Thanksgiving. It's because President Bush is set to bring recognition to a little-known thanksgiving site in Virginia between Williamsburg and Richmond. On Monday, the president plans to stop by Berkeley Plantation, where English settlers held a thanksgiving service almost two years before the Pilgrims' feast in Massachusetts.

Thanksgiving    FR. WILLIAM SAUNDERS Recently, I had an argument with a friend over whether Thanksgiving was a civil holiday or a religious holiday. What do you think?   Thanksgiving is definitely a religious holiday rooted in the Judeo-Christian tradition of our country. Although the secularism of our present culture may have turned the focus more to feasting, football, and family gathering, we must not forget the history and the religious significance of this American holiday. Actually, the first Thanksgiving Day observance originated in Virginia. On Dec. 4, 1619, 38 English settlers arrived at Berkeley Plantation on the James River...