A Thanksgiving Legal History Lesson ?

Written by Jay M. Kelley III in Health & Wellness on November 27, 2024

By William J. Price

This Thanksgiving, impress your friends and family with fascinating legal history behind the holiday we all love. From its origins to quirky state laws, here’s how Thanksgiving became the celebration it is today.

How Thanksgiving Became a National Holiday

Thanksgiving as we know it has deep roots in U.S history:

• 1789: President George Washington declared November 26 as a “National Day of Thanksgiving,” initiating the first nationwide Thanksgiving celebration.
• 1863: During the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday on the last Thursday of November to promote unity.
• 1941: President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a resolution that designated the fourth Thursday in November as the Federal Thanksgiving Day holiday.

The First Presidential Turkey Pardon

Where did the tradition of pardoning a turkey come from?

• 1989: President George H.W. Bush is often recognized as the first president to officially “pardon” a turkey from the Thanksgiving dinner table. However, some accounts suggest that earlier presidents may have informally spared their Thanksgiving turkeys as well.

Thanksgiving and State Laws

Thanksgiving might feel like a universal celebration, but state laws can impact how you observe it.

• Blue Laws: In states like Maine, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts, stores are not allowed to open on Thanksgiving Day.
• Alabama: Drinking hard liquor (“spirits”) on Thanksgiving is not allowed, but you can still enjoy beer and wine!
• North Carolina & Minnesota: Several states have passed laws requiring utility companies to use turkey farm waste for power generation. Talk about sustainable Thanksgiving energy!

Bring these tidbits to your dinner table to spark lively conversations – and perhaps even some laughs!