Happy Thanksgiving Fraters
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Airports, Train Stations and highways will all be packed soon with Fraters scrambling to get home for the Thanksgiving Holiday. Let us be mindful that this day exists to bring together friends and family to one table for a meal. John Fitzgerald Kennedy once said, "As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." As men of Tau Kappa Epsilon, we are reminded of the principles set out by our Founders. We thank them this day for having the foresight to create such a dynamic and revolutionary organization. Take a moment to thank volunteers and all Fraters who help make your chapter thrive.
What is the Thanksgiving Holiday all about? Why do we celebrate? What is the history behind it?
Before the establishment of formal religions many ancient farmers believed that their crops contained spirits which caused the crops to grow and die. Many believed that these spirits would be released when the crops were harvested and they had to be destroyed or they would take revenge on the farmers who harvested them. Some of the harvest festivals celebrated the defeat of these spirits.
Harvest festivals and thanksgiving celebrations were held by the ancient Greeks, the Romans, the Hebrews, the Chinese, and the Egyptians.
The United States
In 1621, after a hard and devastating first year in the New World the Pilgrim's fall harvest was very successful and plentiful. There was corn, fruits, vegetables, along with fish which was packed in salt, and meat that was smoke cured over fires. They found they had enough food to put away for the winter.
The Pilgrims had beaten the odds. They built homes in the wilderness, they raised enough crops to keep them alive during the long coming winter, and they were at peace with their Native American neighbors. Their Governor, William Bradford, proclaimed a day of thanksgiving that was to be shared by all the colonists and the neighboring Native American Indians.
The custom of an annually celebrated thanksgiving, held after the harvest, continued through the years. During the American Revolution (late 1770's) a day of national thanksgiving was suggested by the Continental Congress.
In 1817 New York State adopted Thanksgiving Day as an annual custom. By the middle of the 19th century many other states also celebrated a Thanksgiving Day. In 1863 President Abraham Lincoln appointed a national day of thanksgiving. Since then each president has issued a Thanksgiving Day proclamation, usually designating the fourth Thursday of each November as the holiday.
Canada
Thanksgiving in Canada is celebrated on the second Monday in October. Observance of the day began in 1879.
To all Fraters, Happy Thanksgiving from the Offices of the Grand Chapter. We are thankful for all of our volunteers, staff, and members throughout the world.
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