How Sarah Josepha Hale Paved the Way for Thanksgiving

On November 26, 1863, the first national Thanksgiving holiday was celebrated in the United States, a significant achievement attributed to the efforts of author and editor Sarah Josepha Hale. After years of campaigning for a unified national day of gratitude, Hale’s vision came to fruition when President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation establishing Thanksgiving as an annual holiday.

Born in 1788 in New England, Hale faced considerable challenges after becoming a widow at the age of 34, left to raise five young children alone. To support her family, she turned to writing, producing novels and poems, the most famous being “Mary Had a Little Lamb.” Her literary prowess soon led her to the magazine industry, where she became the editor of Godey’s Lady’s Book, the leading publication of the time. By the time of her death in 1879, the magazine boasted 150,000 subscribers.

Hale was not only a formidable figure in publishing but also a passionate advocate for various social causes. She championed the abolition of slavery, women’s rights, and the preservation of historic sites like Mount Vernon. However, her most enduring legacy is her tireless campaign for a national Thanksgiving holiday, inspired by the traditions of the Massachusetts Pilgrims in the early 1600s.

In 1827, Hale began advocating for a Thanksgiving holiday, envisioning a day when families would gather around dinner tables to express gratitude. Each November, she wrote compelling editorials in her magazine, urging readers to support the establishment of a national day of thanks. According to historian Diana Karter Appelbaum, Hale’s editorials “featured stories of families reunited” and even provided recipes for traditional dishes like turkey and mince pie.

Despite her extensive correspondence with various presidents and congressmen, Hale faced numerous rejections. She knew that while past presidents such as George Washington, John Adams, and James Madison had declared days of thanksgiving, none had created a permanent national holiday. By 1863, several states observed Thanksgiving in late November, but there was no federal recognition.

Hale believed that Lincoln was different from his predecessors. As the Civil War raged, he made frequent public statements regarding the need for the nation to align with divine will. His speeches reflected a commitment to guiding the country through the conflict, suggesting he might be receptive to Hale’s proposal.

On September 28, 1863, Hale penned a letter to Lincoln, expressing her desire for a national Thanksgiving Day to be officially recognized. She proposed that the holiday be celebrated on the last Thursday in November. In her letter, she emphasized that presidential endorsement would secure the holiday’s permanency and unity.

Less than a week later, on October 3, 1863, Lincoln issued a Proclamation of Thanksgiving and Praise. In it, he highlighted the reasons for gratitude, including national harmony, economic prosperity, and the increasing freedom of citizens. He attributed these blessings to the “gracious gifts of the Most High God,” imploring for divine intervention to heal the nation’s wounds and restore peace.

The proclamation marked a pivotal moment in American history, signaling the formal establishment of Thanksgiving as a national holiday. Families across the nation began celebrating this day of gratitude, which has continued annually. It was not until 1939 that President Franklin Roosevelt signed legislation fixing the holiday on the fourth Thursday in November.

As families gather to celebrate Thanksgiving today, it is fitting to acknowledge the historical context of the holiday. Many still recite the opening lines of the doxology hymn penned by Thomas Ken in 1674, which were sung in churches attended by Hale and Lincoln during the first national Thanksgiving. The hymn begins with the words: “Praise God from whom all blessings flow,” a reminder of the enduring spirit of gratitude that shaped this beloved holiday.