Thanksgiving Arrives Late This Year: A Historical Perspective
Thanksgiving this year falls on November 27, marking the second-latest date possible for the holiday. The latest Thanksgiving date will occur in 2024 when it lands on November 28. Understanding the fluctuating dates of Thanksgiving reveals a rich historical context shaped by various U.S. presidents and societal changes.
Thanksgiving’s Historical Evolution
The tradition of Thanksgiving dates back to 1789 when President George Washington issued the first proclamation establishing a “Day of Publick Thanksgiving.” That inaugural celebration took place on November 26. For nearly 70 years, subsequent presidents continued to proclaim Thanksgiving, but the dates varied considerably, with some years not even observing the holiday in November.
The Library of Congress documents instances where Thanksgiving was proclaimed on different dates. For example, President James Madison declared Thanksgiving on September 9 in 1813 and again on March 16 in 1815.
In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln standardized Thanksgiving to the last Thursday in November, a practice that continued for several decades with one notable exception. In 1865, President Andrew Johnson had to reschedule the holiday to the first Thursday in December after forgetting to issue a proclamation.
Shift to the Fourth Thursday
The tradition of celebrating Thanksgiving on the last Thursday in November persisted until 1939. That year, President Franklin D. Roosevelt expressed concern that Thanksgiving falling on November 30 would shorten the Christmas shopping season during a time of economic recovery from the Great Depression. To address this, he proclaimed Thanksgiving would occur on the second-to-last Thursday of November.
This change, however, sparked controversy. While 32 states agreed to the new date, 16 states refused to adjust, leading to a split in observance. The situation prompted Congress to step in, and in 1941, a law was passed to officially designate Thanksgiving as the fourth Thursday in November, a date that remains unchanged.
In 2025, Thanksgiving will occur slightly earlier on November 26, allowing families to gather and celebrate as they reflect on a rich history that has shaped this cherished American holiday.
