Happy Thanksgiving

Alex Massie

Thursday, 26th November 2009

Sasha Obama, the daughter of U.S. President Barack Obama, looks at a turkey named 'Courage' during an event to pardon the 20-week-old and 45-pound turkey at the White House November 25, 2009 in Washington, DC. The Presidential pardon of a turkey has been a long time Thanksgiving tradition that dates back to the Harry Truman administration. Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images.

A Happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends and readers. Thanksgiving is, I think, the best of all American holidays. It's like what Christmas might be if it weren't for all the hassle and the vast expense of it all. Nor, blessedly does it have any of the enforced jollity and back-slapping of New Year as all concerned try and turn what should be a moment of melancholy regret and even anguish into a cock-eyed triumph of inebriated optimism. And because it is a personal, familial holiday, there is none of the tub-thumping, Sousa-soaked patriotism of July 4th.

Each of these other holidays doubtless has their place, but Thanksgiving and its essential homely simplicity is the best of the bunch by far. So happy Turkey Day, my American pals. May you eat too much, avoid family arguments and enjoy, if it's actually possible to do so, the Detroit Lions game...

Filed under: Americana (255 more articles)

Previous Back to Alex Massie Next

Blogs: Martin Bright | Susan Hill | Melanie Phillips | Coffee House | Faith Based

Actions: Print this article | Email to a friend | Permalink | Comments (6)

Post this entry to: del.icio.us | Digg | Newsvine | NowPublic | Reddit

Post comment

Original Tony

November 26th, 2009 2:20pm Report this comment

In this ever increasing Godless society we are living in, who is actually being thanked in this tradition?

Edward

November 26th, 2009 4:13pm Report this comment

Why is the reprieved turkey always white?

How about suspending the death sentence for a turkey of color?

MattF

November 26th, 2009 5:01pm Report this comment

And, according to Cecil Adams, the urban legend that domesticated turkeys are so dumb that they will drown in the rain is not true, and the irresponsibility of turkey mothers is due to welfare (the dole, to you Brits). Happy T-day.

daniel maris

November 26th, 2009 8:00pm Report this comment

As I understand it Americans bust a gut travelling to see family for Thanksgiving. What happens four weeks later at Christmas? Do they not see each other then? Or do they do it all again? Either way, it seems a bit odd.

Especially as Americans make quite a hoo-hah about New Year as well!