Thanksgiving Trivia

Did you know that the word “Eucharist” literally means “giving thanks?” Why must we only have Thanksgiving once a year? For those who believe, Thanksgiving occurs in every celebration of the Mass. That’s why people who regularly go to church are statistically happier than people who don’t have faith or practice their religion irregularly.

And speaking of Thanksgiving, here are a few cool Thanksgiving facts:

Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November in the United States and on the second Monday in October in Canada.

President George Washington issued the first national Thanksgiving Day Proclamation in the year 1789 and again in 1795.

The state of New York officially made Thanksgiving Day an annual custom in 1817.

The annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade tradition began in the 1920's.

Congress passed an official proclamation in 1941 and declared that now onwards Thanksgiving will be observed as a legal holiday on the fourth Thursday of November every year.

Californians are the largest consumers of turkey in the United States.

There are regional differences as to the "stuffing" (or "dressing") traditionally served with the turkey. Southerners generally make theirs from cornbread, while in other parts of the country white bread is the base. One or several of the following may be added: oysters, apples, chestnuts, raisins, celery and/or other vegetables, sausage or the turkey's giblets.

Yes I realize it is still a few days off, but it's my favorite holiday!