Godey's Lady's Book
Sarah J. Hale: Editor's Table
The following are all the excerpts related to
Thanksgiving.
September 1860, p. 271
THANKSGIVING--the new National Holiday.--We must advert once
more
to this grand object of nationalizing Thanksgiving Day, by adopting, as a
permanent rule, the last Thursday in November in all the States. Last
year, 1859, thirty States and three Territories held Thanksgiving
on the same day--the last Thursday in November. This year we hope that every
State and Territory will be included in the list. Last year this Thanksgiving
was observed by the American residents in Paris, Berlin, and Berne; in the
last two cities the American ministers to Switzerland and Prussia took the
leading part in the festivities. Thanksgiving was also held on board two
of the American squadrons, that of the Mediterranean and the African; and,
moreover, several of the American missionary establishments in foreign lands
have signified their willingness to set apart the day named.
This year the last Thursday in November falls on the 29th. If
all the States and Territories hold their Thanksgiving on that day, there
will be a complete moral and social reunion of the people of America
in 1860. Would not this be a good omen for the perpetual political union
of the States? May God grant us not only the omen, but the fulfillment is
our dearest wish!
