Why Thanksgiving Wasn’t Always on the Fourth Thursday of November Americans now expect Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November. But in 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt moved the holiday to November 23, and states split over whether to follow his lead or keep the traditional date. The dispute touched holiday plans, business interests, and the president’s role in setting a national observance. It lasted only a few years, but it led Congress to set Thanksgiving’s date by law. The story explains why the holiday falls on the fourth Thursday today, rather than always on November’s last Thursday. The November calendar made Thanksgiving’s date contentious Thanksgiving traditionally fell on the last Thursday Presidents once chose a Thanksgiving date each year through proclamations. Abraham Lincoln’s 1863 proclamation named the last Thursday in November, and later presidents kept that custom. The date was widely followed, but no federal law had yet fixed it. The National Archi...
Join Gin Lee, the Deep South Cook, as she guides you through the art of creating authentic Southern cuisine. From traditional dishes to decadent desserts like cakes, cookies, and pies, Gin Lee will teach you the secrets of candy making and holiday-themed recipes. And because pets are family too, she'll even share some special recipes for your furry friends. But the culinary journey doesn't stop there. Gin Lee will also delve into the world of gardening, offering helpful gardening tips too.