Louis J. Rhead
Today in the United States and other parts of the world is a special day—it is Thanksgiving!
The Thanksgiving tradition in the USA traces its origins to 1619 in Virginia. On December 4, 1619, 38 English settlers reached Berkeley Hundred in Virginia. Their arrival marked a day of thanksgiving, as their charter from the London Company
The Thanksgiving most people recognize, however, is linked to the Pilgrims and Puritans from the 1620s and 1630s. Arriving in New England, these groups celebrated thanks after a bountiful harvest. In 1621, the Pilgrims shared a feast with the Wampanoag people, who had assisted them during the harsh winter. This event in Plymouth and similar occasions in subsequent years are often dubbed the "First Thanksgiving." Interestingly, the Pilgrims might have drawn inspiration from a thanksgiving event in Leiden in the Netherlands (celebrated since 1574), where they had previously stayed.
I find this holiday a beautiful tradition when you can thank your family and friends and everyone around. Don't forget to do it! :)
Today, we present the front cover of the Harper's Bazar magazine from 1894 (so it is very vintage and very art nouveau-like), with an illustration of a woman with a bowl of fruit amid fruit trees and corn. Fun fact: Thanksgiving became a national holiday in the USA only in 1864!
Happy Thanksgiving!
P.S. Explore these 8 paintings for Thanksgiving that will warm your heart!