In 1846, Sarah Josepha Hale,editor of Godley's Lady's Book Magazine, campaigned for an annual day of thanksgiving. She tried for almost 40 years writing hundreds of letters to religious leaders and government leaders.  

It would finally become a reality on October 3, 1863. The Civil War was still raging on and the horrific  Battle of Gettysburg, where hundreds of both Union and Confederate soldiers died, had recently occurred. President Abraham Lincoln declared that the last Thursday in  November would be a day to give thanks for "general blessings". He said " I do therefore invite my fellow-citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of thanksgiving..."

Interestingly, in 1938, President Franklin D. Roosevelt changed the national holiday to the third Thursday of November. People were so upset by this change, that the president publicly stated the error of his decision and the holiday was returned to the last Thursday of November. What are three things you are thankful for at this time of year? Try doing an act of kindness to someone else during this week...

Check out this interesting reading: On a trip to England, my husband and I visited a Quaker Barn that may have had the Mayflower used in its construction. Check out the story at my website: http://gailhennessey.com/index.shtml?barn.html

Check out my web quest on Thanksgiving and Turkeys at this link: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Thanksgiving-and-Turkey-Webquest-403849