Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Unbutton That Belt - It's Thanksgiving!

It's that time of year again, folks.  Time for the society-approved, government-sanctioned, gluttony fest we here in America celebrate to commemorate the bountiful harvest the Pilgrims realized and offered thanks to God after a harsh winter threatened to destroy the entire fledgling flock.

But did you know the first official Thanksgiving in America was designated as a day for fasting?

You know - abstaining from eating.

No, me neither.

In 1779, the Continental Congress sent a circular to all state governors recommending a day of public thanksgiving to be recognized on December 9, 1779 (not to be confused with the official proclamation establishing a permanent annual observance).  The call in the proclamation was for a day of "Thanksgiving and Prayer" recognized and observed in fasting.

Holy cow!  Er, uh, turkey!

So with that hilarious, historical tidbit before I head toward my annual turkey coma, unbutton that belt and have a Happy Thanksgiving.


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