Rethinking Thanksgiving: A Deeper Look into History and Narratives

From the Haudenosaunee Address to Jefferson's stance and the contested 'First Thanksgiving', the holiday's narrative continues to evolve.

The Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address, a prayer of gratitude from the Iroquois Confederacy, is gaining attention for its focus on gratitude and respect for the natural world.
Thomas Jefferson, despite declaring a day of public thanksgiving as Virginia's governor in 1779, later opposed such proclamations during his presidency due to his belief in the separation of church and state.
Different locations in the United States, including Maine, Virginia, Texas, and Florida, claim to have hosted the 'First Thanksgiving', but these claims often overlook the negative impact of colonial history on Native populations.
The national American holiday of Thanksgiving was declared by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863 during the Civil War, more than 200 years after the events claimed as the 'First Thanksgiving'.
The narrative of Thanksgiving continues to evolve as more attention is paid to the fuller history, including the Native American perspective.