VOICE ONE:
It is one of America’s most popular holidays. It is a day forexpressing thanks for the good things in life, especially family andfriends. I’m Shirley Griffith.
VOICE TWO:
And I’m Sarah Long. The story of Thanksgiving is our report todayon the VOA Special English program, THIS IS AMERICA.
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VOICE ONE:
This Thursday is Thanksgiving Day. The writer O. Henry called itthe one day that is purely American. Thanksgiving is not a religiousholiday. But it has spiritual meaning. Some Americans attendreligious services on the day before Thanksgiving, or onThanksgiving morning. Others travel long distances to be with theirfamilies. They have a large dinner, which is the main part of thecelebration.
For many Americans, Thanksgiving is the only time when allmembers of a family gather. The holiday is a time of family reunion.
((CUT ONE: “BLESS THIS HOUSE”))
VOICE TWO:
Thanksgiving week is generally one of the busiest travel times ofthe year. However, experts say this year probably will be different.On September Eleventh, thousands of people died when terroristshijacked airplanes that struck buildings in Washington D-C and NewYork City. Many people now say they are worried about flying on aplane. Travel experts say almost six percent fewer people will makelong trips this Thanksgiving compared with last year.
Many Americans who usually visit family and friends by plane aredriving shorter distances instead this week. Some mental-healthexperts say the attacks have frightened people. They say people feelsafer and happier close to home.
VOICE ONE:
More than any other holiday, Thanksgiving is a celebration offamily and home. Many people say that this year they are especiallythankful for their families and friends and the good things in theirlives. On Thanksgiving, people enjoy a long day of cooking, eatingand talking. The traditional meal almost always includes a turkeywith a bread mixture cooked inside.
Other traditional Thanksgiving foods served with turkey are sweetpotatoes, cranberries and pumpkin pie. Stores are said to sell morefood at Thanksgiving than at any other time of the year. And manypeople eat more food at Thanksgiving than at any other time of theyear.
VOICE TWO:
Not everyone cooks a Thanksgiving turkey, however. Some familieslike other meats. Or, in recent years, a number of American homeshave vegetarian Thanksgiving dinners. This means no meat will beserved.
Thanksgiving also is a time when Americans share what they havewith people who do not have as much. All across America, thousandsof religious and service organizations provide Thanksgiving mealsfor old people, the homeless and the poor. Many Americans giveturkeys or other food to these groups. Some people spend part of theday helping to prepare and serve the meals.
VOICE ONE:
Thanksgiving is celebrated every year on the fourth Thursday ofNovember. The month of November is autumn in the United States.Autumn is the season when crops are gathered. When the firstEuropean settlers in American gathered their crops, they celebratedand gave thanks for the food. They thanked God for the success ofthe harvest. Listen as the Paul Hillier group sings “ThanksgivingAnthem.”
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VOICE TWO:
Tradition says Pilgrim settlers from England celebrated the firstThanksgiving in Sixteen-Twenty-One. There is evidence that settlersin other parts of America held earlier Thanksgiving celebrations.But the Pilgrims’ Thanksgiving story is the most popular.
The Pilgrims were religious dissidents who fled oppression inEngland. They went first to the Netherlands. Then they left thatcountry to establish a colony in North America. The Pilgrims landedin Sixteen-Twenty in what later became known as Plymouth,Massachusetts.
Their voyage across the Atlantic Ocean was difficult. Their firstmonths in America were difficult, too. About one-hundred Pilgrimslanded just as autumn was turning to winter. During the cold monthsthat followed, about half of them died.
VOICE ONE:
When spring came, the Pilgrims began to plant crops. A nativeAmerican Indian named Squanto helped them. When summer ended, thePilgrims had a good harvest of corn and barley. There was enoughfood to last through the winter.
The Pilgrims decided to hold a celebration to give thanks fortheir harvest. Writings from that time say pilgrim leader WilliamBradford set a date late in the year. He invited members of a nearbyIndian tribe to take part.
VOICE TWO:
That Thanksgiving celebration lasted three days. There were manykinds of food to eat. The meal served included wild birds such asducks, geese and turkeys.
The Pilgrims did not celebrate Thanksgiving again until two yearslater. That celebration marked the end of a period of dry weatherthat had almost destroyed their crops. Historians believe thePilgrims held their second Thanksgiving in July.
As the American colonies grew, many towns and settlements heldThanksgiving – or harvest – celebrations. Yet it was not until abouttwo-hundred-fifty-years later that a national day for Thanksgivingwas declared.
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VOICE ONE:
The creation of a national Thanksgiving holiday resulted from theefforts of one woman, Sarah Josepha Hale. In the Eighteen-Twenties,she began a campaign to officially establish the holiday. MissusHale was a writer. She wrote stories about a national day ofThanksgiving in a publication for women. She also wrote many lettersto public officials, including American presidents. She urged themto support her idea for a national Thanksgiving holiday.
VOICE TWO:
Support for her idea grew slowly. Finally, in EighteenSixty-Three, President Abraham Lincoln declared the last Thursday inNovember as a national holiday of Thanksgiving. At that time, theUnited States was fighting a civil war. President Lincoln liked theidea of a Thanksgiving holiday that would also celebrate nationalunity. Later, Congress declared that the holiday would be celebratedevery year on the fourth Thursday in November.
VOICE ONE:
Over the years, Americans have added new traditions to theirThanksgiving celebration. For example, a number of professional anduniversity football games are played on Thanksgiving Day. Some ofthe games are broadcast on national television.
Many people also like to watch Thanksgiving Day parades ontelevision. Big stores in several cities organize these marches. Forexample, Macy’s store in New York City will present itsseventy-fifth yearly Thanksgiving parade. Huge balloons will floathigh above the street. The balloons are in the shapes of children’sbest-loved cartoon characters.
VOICE TWO:
Religious ceremonies are an important part of Thanksgiving Dayfor many Americans. People join in prayers and songs ofThanksgiving. One of the most famous songs is called “Prayer ofThanksgiving.” The words and music tell of the traditional meaningof Thanksgiving. We gather with our family. We share what we have.And we give thanks for the good things of the past year. Here is theBoston Pops Orchestra and chorus performing “Prayer ofThanksgiving.”
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VOICE ONE:
This program was written by Carolyn Weaver and Jerilyn Watson. Itwas produced by Cynthia Kirk. Our studio engineer was Mick Shaw. I’mShirley Griffith.
VOICE TWO:
And I’m Sarah Long. Join us again next week for another reportabout life in the United States on the VOA Special English program,THIS IS AMERICA.
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