If this country is so "patriotic," why does it seem that people skip over Thanksgiving more & more each year?

Question

Thanksgiving has a lot to do with "patriotism." It's not so much about "who" discovered the Americas, because Columbus wasn't the first! It's more about what happened after Columbus opened more people's eyes to the fact that the land is here and could be settled; how people could survive here; and how we could settle and cultivate it to become what we are today. Thanksgiving is the way we celebrate what our fore Fathers have realized we could be and to thank them for making their realizations come true so we have this great nation we CAN be proud of! That is how Thanks giving is "patriotic."

We start celebrating Xmas in September and even in August, now. So, back to the original question, why skip over this blessed holiday? We can make the food and all the other imbellishings healthier and "Hallmark" friendly if people could realize the symbolism of the holiday that originally gave us the tools to get where we are today.

*disclaimer: don't rule out Independence Day!*

Answer 1

Thanksgiving is one of the few holidays that hasn't gone 'commercial' but still holds it true meaning... a day to give thanks. Look around, most people aren't skipping it, but keeping it closer to it's true meaning.

Other than Christmas, it's the only holiday that the country pretty much closes down for. It wasn't until the late 1990s that K-mart dared to break tradition and open it's doors for a few hours. Even with that, most retail companies have held ground and still remain closed.

It may kick off of the 'holiday season', but it also the first day of the year that most people start thinking of someone else besides themselves. Food pantries for the poor get most of their donations during this time. It's the one day a year that almost any one in our county has a good chance to have a hot meal.

In our busy times, where families seldom have time to set down and have a meal together, this is the one day... people will travel for hours to get together for one meal.

Thanksgiving isn't being skipped over, it just isn't being commercialized at much. Other than Butterball... who has saved many a new housewife's rear on Thanksgiving morning with the bird. ;-)

Look at the 4th of July, which is our most patriotic holiday. Talk about a day that is more commercial than anything else. Stick up a few flags, have a BBQ, drink a few beers, and shoot off some fireworks.

Can you honestly tell me when Memorial Day is? Most can't. It like the Independence day, has become a BBQ day also. How do many people know what day it's going to fall on.. the look to the Indy 500.

As far as holidays go, Thanksgiving we know it... it's one of the newer ones.

The first feast, was a one time affair, not meant to become an annual holiday.
The holiday was bounced around for a almost 150 years until, Abraham Lincoln proclaimed it as a national holiday. It wasn't until 1941 when it became the holiday we know, that now falls on the fourth Thursday of the month.

I took a couple of minutes to find this for you, from 1782.

IT being the indispensable duty of all Nations, not only to offer up their supplications to ALMIGHTY GOD, the giver of all good, for his gracious assistance in a time of distress, but also in a solemn and public manner to give him praise for his goodness in general, and especially for great and signal interpositions of his providence in their behalf: Therefore the United States in Congress assembled, taking into their consideration the many instances of divine goodness to these States, in the course of the important conflict in which they have been so long engaged; the present happy and promising state of public affairs; and the events of the war, in the course of the year now drawing to a close; particularly the harmony of the public Councils, which is so necessary to the success of the public cause; the perfect union and good understanding which has hitherto subsisted between them and their Allies, notwithstanding the artful and unwearied attempts of the common enemy to divide them; the success of the arms of the United States, and those of their Allies, and the acknowledgment of their independence by another European power, whose friendship and commerce must be of great and lasting advantage to these States:----- Do hereby recommend to the inhabitants of these States in general, to observe, and request the several States to interpose their authority in appointing and commanding the observation of THURSDAY the twenty-eight day of NOVEMBER next, as a day of solemn THANKSGIVING to GOD for all his mercies: and they do further recommend to all ranks, to testify to their gratitude to GOD for his goodness, by a cheerful obedience of his laws, and by promoting, each in his station, and by his influence, the practice of true and undefiled religion, which is the great foundation of public prosperity and national happiness.

Answer 2

The patriotic holiday in trhe Us is the fourth of July. Thanksgiving has NOTHING to do with Columbus or patriotism. Do you even KNow what you are talking about? Thanksgiving is about pilgrims and Indians. It is about how the Indians helped the Pilgrims and the celebration they had after surviving a year in the new world. It is a holiday that is about being thankful for what you have, not about the discovery of America...My God I thought everyone knew that. You could learn this basic stuff by watching the Charlie Brown thanksgiving special.

Answer 3

I don't think thanksgiving has anything to do with being patriotic. For me it means being thankfull for what the friends and family i have and a meal on the table and a roof over my head.
wikipedia has this to say, "Thanksgiving, or Thanksgiving Day, is an annual holiday observed in the United States and Canada to celebrate being thankful for the things one has. In the U.S., the holiday is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November. In Canada, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday in October."

Answer 4

I don't think Thanksgiving is patriotism-geared. The reason it has started 'fading out' in celebration is because it is not a money maker. There are even facets of Thanksgiving that people don't like dealing with, like the calories. If there were a demographic that made Thanksgiving high-dollar we'd hear a lot more about. Ahhh....capitalism at it's best.....I suppose.....

Answer 5

If you are talking about the US then I'm not sure we are all that patriotic. Patiotism is about loving your country right? How do we love our country--by destoying it--all those little plastic flags--made in a foreign countries just end up in a dump somewhere or scattered on the side of the road, -- "amber waves of grain" not anymore---more like amber clouds of poisons. If we love our country so much, then thanksgiving wouldn't be about buying more and more deocrations and buying a drugged bird, it would be about finding ways to be good neighbors, and making friends, talking, learning, listening, caring, protecting, understanding, respecting and tolerating each other and our differences--that's patriotic and so is taking care of the land itself--and being thankful for all of that is what thanksgiving is really all about--let's be thankful actively all year not just in november...let's show our thanks not just say it

Answer 6

I totally agree with you, Thanksgiving seems to be over looked all the time. I think it should be a patriotic holiday, I mean we should sit at our Thanksgiving tables and thank God for this Great country we live in.

Answer 7

At my domicile,we are no longer the Brady's and each year it in user-friendly terms takes one individual to do or say some thing stupid to start a controversy and then the entire family contributors starts off yelling at one yet another. it truly is a shame we've became into this technology of on the spot gratification with the "supply it to me now and positioned it in my hand" varieties. right here in South Texas the grocery shops are already getting the Thanksgiving stuff waiting. yet maximum of all I hate how people will truly inform you what they choose for Christmas. ARE YOU KIDDING??!!! Be grateful somebody concept-approximately you as somebody particular adequate to get carry of a cutting-edge and be glad about what you purchased.

Answer 8

What does 'thanksgiving' have to do with patriotism? The myth of Christopher Columbus 'discovering' America? Turkeys, the national bird? I don't get it.

Answer 9

People are not as grateful as we should be. People are so concerned with what they don't have and forget to appreciate the little things l(ike our senses) that we take for granted. Thanksgiving is everyday, not just a day where you get to stuff your face with all kinds of dishes and deserts.

Answer 10

Thanksgiving has nothing to do with patriotism. If you want to question patriotism, question why so few vote, so few know their political leaders, why they avoid jury duty or just ***** about things instead of taking action to make changes.

Thanksgiving is not about patriotism you're question is moot.

Answer 11

I'm sorry, I don't necessarily connect Thanksgiving with patriotism.