A Day for Thanksgiving by Bekka Wiedenmeyer - City News Group, Inc.

Community Calendar

MARCH
S M T W T F S
01 02 03 04 05 06 07
08 09 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 31 01 02 03 04
View Events
Submit Events
directory

A Day for Thanksgiving

By Bekka Wiedenmeyer, Community Writer
November 22, 2016 at 11:17am. Views: 140

ALL >> When people think of Thanksgiving, they usually think of pilgrims, Native Americans and a whole lot of turkey. Since the early 1600s, Americans have been unofficially celebrating the holiday of Thanksgiving, partly in thanks to the Native Americans who taught them self-sustenance and partly in thanks to God for providence. According to History.com, though George Washington and subsequent presidents issued proclamations designating days of thanks, it was not until Abraham Lincoln stepped into the presidency that an official day was set aside for thanksgiving. In 1863, as per the request of writer Sarah Josepha Hale, who had campaigned for a thanksgiving day for years, President Lincoln established Thanksgiving Day on the final Thursday in November. It was celebrated as such until 1939, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt attempted to move the holiday up a week so the National Retail Dry Goods Association would be appeased. It was the height of the Great Depression and sales were down, and they thought the change would be financially beneficial. The American people met this proclamation with derision, and President Roosevelt soon after signed another bill which made the fourth Thursday in November Thanksgiving Day. Today, Thanksgiving means the four F’s: friends, family, food and football. It means tripping out on tryptophan at 3 p.m., watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and taking an early nap so you can hit the stores for Black Friday sales at midnight. The religious undertones have been lost in the commercialism of the holiday, but the community aspect still remains. The Inland Empire not only celebrates Thanksgiving on an individual level, but on a community level, as well. In the past, cities like Moreno Valley, Colton and San Bernardino have provided Thanksgiving dinners to those in need, where people have given of their resources, time and efforts to make sure everyone can have something to be thankful for. This year, millions of turkeys will be consumed and billions of dollars spent. Knowing the history of how and why the holiday first got started, however, might bring things into an important perspective for a nation that sometimes forgets just how fortunate it is, even 250 years after its inception. Have a happy Thanksgiving!

Related Articles

Photo Courtesy of: City of Moreno Valley

By Ruby Stephenson, Community Writer

January 29, 2026 at 09:50am. Views: 773

Come check out Flight Deck Bike Park!
Flight Deck Bike Park is the largest Velosolutions pump track in Southern California.

Photo Courtesy of: ChatGPT (AI-generated)

By Charmaine Mislang, Community Writer

March 10, 2026 at 01:27pm. Views: 321

AI-generated image of a family of four sitting at a kitchen table, looking together at a laptop while holding CalFresh informational materials and an application form. The adults and children appear engaged and focused, suggesting they are reviewing or applying for food assistance benefits.

Photo Courtesy of: SBC Transitional Assistance Department

By William Cortez, Contributing Writer

March 10, 2026 at 01:27pm. Views: 341

A San Bernardino County Transitional Assistance Mobile Office vehicle is parked outdoors as a staff member stands in the doorway assisting a woman holding a tote bag. The vehicle displays information about applying for CalWORKs, CalFresh and Medi-Cal, highlighting mobile services available to county residents.

Photo Courtesy of: CUSM

By Cynthia Baker, Contributing Writer

March 10, 2026 at 01:27pm. Views: 379

Taken on July 22, 2025: The MD class of 2029 MD took the Hippocratic Oath and received their white coats, symbolizing entrance into the medical profession.
"This class brings the largest number of Inland Empire-based students to a CUSM MD class," said Paul Lyons, MD, President and Dean of California University of Science and Medicine. "It is core to our mission to support the communities of the Inland Empire in terms of education and health accessibility. Admitting qualified IE-based students is a major part of bringing our mission to life."

Photo Courtesy of: Jesus Ocegueda

By Jesus Ocegueda, Community Writer

March 10, 2026 at 01:27pm. Views: 317

Chelsea Evans, founder of Honey Butter Brittle by Heavenly Delights Company, smiles while holding packages of her homemade honey butter brittle. Her small-batch treats are known for their soft, creamy texture and variety of bold, handcrafted flavors.

Photo Courtesy of: Its Boba Time, Colton PR Coordinator

By Richard Lee, Community Writer

March 10, 2026 at 01:27pm. Views: 351

Students from Paul J. Rodgers Elementary School sit together on a classroom rug, while a volunteer from It's Boba Time holds up a colorful children’s book, during a story-time activity.

Photo Courtesy of: Not Supplied

By Dr. Timothy Jenkins, Community Writer

March 10, 2026 at 01:27pm. Views: 378

Photo Courtesy of: TME Photography by Titan Mom Elvira

By Titan Mom Elvira, Community Writer

March 10, 2026 at 01:27pm. Views: 284

GTHS Athlete of the Week: Samyah Green

Photo Courtesy of: Mike Hoover

By Colonel John Morris, Community Writer

March 10, 2026 at 01:27pm. Views: 388

Col John Morris is a retired Air Force Officer with over 40 years of combined military and civilian service to his country.

Photo Courtesy of: Upmost Barbershop

By Ruby Stephenson, Contributing Writer

March 10, 2026 at 01:27pm. Views: 303

A barbershop chair sits beside a wall mural featuring large scissors and the logo for Upmost Barbershop inside the shop.

Photo Courtesy of: City of Moreno Valley

By Ruby Stephenson, Contributing Writer

March 10, 2026 at 01:27pm. Views: 198

Three children play basketball on an indoor court, with one child dribbling the ball while the others move nearby.
In Moreno Valley, there’s never a dull moment—especially when it comes to sports and recreation!

Photo Courtesy of: City of Moreno Valley

By Ruby Stephenson, Contributing Writer

March 10, 2026 at 01:27pm. Views: 350

After closing on February 19, due to several Life Safety and Fire Protection violations, the Moreno Valley Mall is now permitted to reopen.

--> -->