Delve into Some Tales of Brooklyn Thanksgivings

"Thanksgiving is now a national holiday that evokes tables loaded with food, autumnal colors, and friends and family gathered in celebration. While a day of thanks was often celebrated in the early 19th century, it wasn't until 1863 that Thanksgiving became an official U.S. holiday. How did Brooklynites celebrate the food-centered holiday over the years? Read a few tales of Brooklyn Thanksgivings below."

"How Brooklynites Celebrated Turkey Day Thanksgiving in America has always been a rather strange combination of festival, food, and frolic. We watch colorful parades in the morning, stuff ourselves in the afternoon, and then retire to our couches to watch two teams of modern gladiators beat each other silly for the prize of a silver trophy. Traditions have evolved since Thanksgiving became a national holiday in the 1860s, but the sentiment has remained the same. Here's how late 19th century Brooklyn celebrated."

"Thanksgiving was meant to be a day set aside for the giving of thanks for the harvest, the bounty of the earth, and the gifts of nature and prosperity bestowed on us throughout the year. In celebration, we gather for a feast that brings together extended family, friends, and strangers to our tables. There are only a handful of countries that celebrate a day called Thanksgiving - the U.S. and Canada chief among them"

Thanksgiving became an official U.S. holiday in 1863, evolving from earlier regional days of thanks. The holiday now centers on abundant meals, autumnal decoration, and gatherings of family and friends. In late 19th-century Brooklyn, celebrations included massive feasts, parades, costumed entertainments, and charitable efforts to feed the poor. Dining rooms and table decorations reflected seasonal bounty and hospitality. Religious and private institutions organized meals and care for those without government support. While only a few countries formally call a day Thanksgiving, many cultures hold harvest festivals with similar traditions of communal feasting and gratitude.

Read at Brownstoner