THANKSGIVING’S RELIGIOUS UNDERPINNINGS

THANKSGIVING’S RELIGIOUS UNDERPINNINGS PKG 0:00 VE: PLEASE CROP OUT THE REPORTER'S FACE IN THE SMALL BOX IN THE BOTTOM LEFT CORNER VE: INTERVIEW FOOTAGE https://we.tl/t-AUg8o5mYum SE: JOHN CRIBB INTERVIEW https://otter.ai/u/v_D429uAGcHqLZmT9A9UkF1esww SE: FIRST THANKSGIVING https://www.history.com/topics/thanksgiving/history-of-thanksgiving#:~:text=Thanksgiving%20Day%20is%20a%20national,Thanksgiving%20celebrations%20in%20the%20colonies SE: CDC GUIDANCE ON THANKSGIVING https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays/thanksgiving.html This year’s Thanksgiving holiday is unlike years past. In response to the pandemic, the CDC recommends people don’t travel to see loved ones, and that they wear masks and socially distance at gatherings. SE: OR GOV. HAS NEIGHBORS RAT EACH OTHER OUT https://nypost.com/2020/11/24/oregon-gov-urges-people-to-call-cops-on-covid-19-rule-breakers/ This is compounded by controversial guidance from governors. For example Oregon’s Kate Brown urged residents to call the cops on neighbors for having too many guests over for dinner. SE: CALIF. THANKSGIVING RULES https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/Guidance-for-the-Prevention-of-COVID-19-Transmission-for-Gatherings-November-2020.aspx SE: NEWSOM BREAKS HIS OWN RULES https://www.foxla.com/news/fox-11-obtains-exclusive-photos-of-gov-newsom-at-french-restaurant-allegedly-not-following-covid-19-protocols And California’s Gavin Newsom breaking his own virus rules by eating at a restaurant without wearing a mask or socially distancing. But perhaps learning more about the history of Thanksgiving can help us understand the importance of the holiday and offer us guidance in our celebration. SE: FIRST THANKSGIVING AT PLYMOUTH https://www.history.com/topics/thanksgiving/history-of-thanksgiving#:~:text=Thanksgiving%20Day%20is%20a%20national,Thanksgiving%20celebrations%20in%20the%20colonies VE: REPLICA OF PILGRIM VILLAGE IN PLYMOUTH https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/lydia-hicks-walks-through-the-1627-pilgrim-village-at-news-photo/56220205?adppopup=true The first Thanksgiving took place in Plymouth Massachusetts in 1621 when the Pilgrims -- who came to the new world in search of religious freedom -- celebrated their first successful harvest with the Wampanoag Native Americans. SE: LINCOLN’S PROCLAMATION OF THANKSGIVING http://www.abrahamlincolnonline.org/lincoln/speeches/thanks.htm But it wasn’t until 1863 when the Great Emancipator and 16th president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, declared thanksgiving a national holiday in reverence to the Divine. SOT 0:16 John Cribb Author of 'Old Abe' 05:28–5:44 “He says, ‘This is not the hand of handwork of man, this is a hand of God, a gracious God, he says, so he sets aside that day as a day of thanksgiving and praise and prayer for our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens.’” Cribb says Lincoln was deeply faithful, a regular churchgoer and well versed in the bible. That’s despite never having been baptized and not a member of any particular Church. And before Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Proclamation, Cribb says other presidents like George Washington declared days of Thanksgiving but just on occasion. VE: SARAH JOSEPHA HALE https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/american-writer-sarah-josepha-hale-circa-1850-engraving-by-news-photo/152108078?adppopup=true Then in 1827, influencer and author of “Mary Had a Little Lamb” Sarah Josepha Hale started writing essays urging the country to have a national holiday of Thanksgiving instead of states celebrating on different dates. VE: ZACHARY TAYLOR https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/zachary-taylor-american-soldier-who-served-as-the-twelfth-news-photo/3233068?adppopup=true VE: ABE “RAIL-SPLITTER” LINCOLN https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/postcard-honoring-president-abraham-lincoln-the-rail-news-photo/1807179?adppopup=true Hale wrote her requests to presidents, starting with Zachary Taylor and finally to the “Rail-Splitter,” Abe Lincoln. SOT 0:14 John C