The "First Thanksgiving" in the 21st Century—as Retold in Presidential Proclamations. Issue 3 (3rd July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Birdsall, Judd
• Is Part Of: Review of faith & international affairs. Volume 19:Issue 3(2021)
• Page Start: 55
• Page End: 64
• Publication Date: 2021-07-03
• Subjects: thanksgiving -- Trump -- Obama -- Bush -- religion -- Pilgrims -- Indians; Law -- Periodicals; Religion and politics -- Periodicals; Law; Religion and politics; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 201.705
• DOI: 10.1080/15570274.2021.1954408
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1557-0274

Abstract

Abstract : This article explores how American presidents retell and interpret the so-called "First Thanksgiving." It offers analysis of the 20 presidential Thanksgiving proclamations issued from 2001 to 2020, situating them within the long evolution of the holiday. The specific focus is on how Bush, Obama, and Trump spoke of God, Pilgrims, Indians, and the enduring "spirit" of the First Thanksgiving. This analysis gives a glimpse into contemporary popular understandings and political uses of Thanksgiving and its imagined roots—and how those understandings and uses contrast with those of previous generations.