We have much to be grateful for on Thanksgiving 2022. Democracy survived a big scare, and while it’s not yet out of the woods, we know where it is and it’s blazing its own trail.
But back to reality. You’re planning for the big day, the big turkey (or vegan equivalent), you’re wondering how to time everything . . .
Just a reminder to patriots and sunshine patriots that Thanksgiving is one of those days designated in the U.S. Flag Code as a day for citizens to fly Old Glory. Plan to put your flag out early, you won’t have to worry about it all day.
There was a time when people actually sent Thanksgiving cards; few keep up that tradition. Image from Pacific Paratrooper.
It’s a great time to recall that the purposes of Thanksgiving usually start with expressing gratitude to and with all of our neighbors, as a means of binding us together as a community, a people, and a nation. And sometimes, an entire world, as cartoonist Joseph Keppler imagined. Recognizing that fellowship is not the rule now, as it wasn’t the rule when Keppler called out our hypocrisy then.
To better times to come.
From the Library of Congress collection: Joseph Keppler’s “A Thanksgiving Toast,” Puck magazine, November 30, 1898. “Caption: Puck Gentlemen, your health! I am glad to see from your bea[…]ing faces that you share the high aspirations of our friend, the Czar, for Universal Peace. Here’s to you all! Illus. from Puck, v. 44, no. 1134, (1898 November 30), centerfold.”
(More explanation from the Library of Congress: Print shows Puck standing on a chair at the head of a large dinner table, offering a Thanksgiving toast to those seated around the table, including “England, France, Germany, [Japan?], Russia, Austria, Italy, Turkey, Uncle Sam, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Brazil, [and] Mexico”. Most of the European countries, as well as Mexico and Brazil, are glaring at their neighbors, with the exception of Russia where Nicholas II attempts to look pious. Turkey appears to be trying to stifle laughter. Uncle Sam seems to be the only one enjoying the toast. Puerto Rico, holding an American flag, and Hawaii are expressionless.)
More:
- Flag waving image at top, the U.S. flag at Camp Wisdom, Circle 10 Council BSA, in Dallas, Texas
- Thomas Nast’s “Uncle Sam’s Thanksgiving,” 2021 post
- Flag-flying dates for November 2021
Millard Fillmore's Bathtub 
Caption from Joseph Keppler’s “A Thanksgiving Toast” should read … I am glad to see from your beaming faces … See for the caption https://books.google.com/books/content?id=jERIAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA303&img=1&zoom=3&hl=en&sig=ACfU3U05ilpmSQSSbddCwOrXZ54-3UWt1Q&w=1025 and for a perhaps better quality picture https://artvee.com/dl/a-thanksgiving-toast/
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Caption from Joseph Keppler’s “A Thanksgiving Toast” should read … I am glad to see from your beaming faces … See [redacted]
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Yes! Our democracy held for this election. We have much to be thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.
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