The First Thanksgiving took place between the Wampanoag Tribe and the Pilgrims in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Historians don’t know the exact date of the event, but we know that it was somewhere between September 21st and November 9th of 1691.
Massasoit, the Wampanoag Chief, brought ninety of his men who were joined by 52 Pilgrims. The feast lasted for three days, likely consisting of venison, shellfish, cabbage, carrots, cucumbers, leeks, lettuce, parsnips, and pumpkins.
The event was primarily diplomatic in nature. Diseases that the Pilgrims had brought from Europe had decimated the Native Population killing at least 1,000 Wampanoag. This had left the tribe weaker than their neighbors. After killing off that many Indians, the Pilgrims were probably just happy that they were still breathing.
The story of the First Thanksgiving is based on a letter written by Edward Winslow, a Pilgrim chronicler. But Winslow’s account is brief and doesn’t use the word “thanksgiving”.
If we fast forward a couple of centuries, the holiday had become a solemn
remembrance in New England. At that time, it was a day of fasting and quiet reflection.
But all of that changed on October 3rd of 1863 during one of the ugliest moments of the Civil War. President Lincoln issued his Thanksgiving Day Proclamation to “observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving”. In doing so, he hoped to unite a war-wearied nation.
I wonder what Lincoln would think of the America he fought so hard to put back together?
Political historians tell us that the last time our nation was as divided as it is today, was right before the Civil War. All of this began with a terrible case of negative partisanship.
But as the last election droned on, it became one of labeling people on the other side of the aisle as ignorant and immoral. Candidates on both sides of the aisle led the charge.
Currently one in six Americans would support violence to enforce their political views. That’s 16.7% of all Americans. How we ever got through the last election without the South Side burning is beyond imagination.
However you celebrate Thanksgiving is up to you. Whether you enjoy a feast of turkey and dressing or just have a bag of chips and dip as you watch a full day of football, let’s all take a moment to do one more thing.
Let’s appreciate and respect all Americans who have differing viewpoints from our own.
The America we all now know was different back in the sixties and seventies when I was raised. Back then we were taught that people who don’t agree with us aren’t our enemies.
We were taught that they’re still our friends and fellow Americans. And what do any of us have, if we don’t have each other?
For united we’ll stand, and divided we’ll most certainly fall.
We’re all entrepreneurs, leaders of our respective businesses. We’re the people in our communities that many look up to.
And the best way for any of us to lead is through example.
When you encounter the politics of division or those spitting fuel on the fires of anarchy what will you do? Will you lead the charge? Will you encourage those bent on disorder and rampage?
Or will you be that calm in storm that gets your little ship back to harbor safely with all on board? Let’s all lead by example and be the later, rather than the former.
May whatever God you pray to bless you, your family, and your businesses now and always. And may the lesson of diplomacy from the First Thanksgiving be ever present in our minds as we lead our individual communities.
We’re all going to get through this. Let’s get through it together.
Accounting Solutions Ltd. stands ready to complete our mission and purpose of protecting you, your family, and your business. Whether you need Payroll Services, or Accounting and Tax Work, you have but to ask. I’m here and I remain,
Sincerely yours,
Chris Amundson
President
Accounting Solutions Ltd.
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