When Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1863, it took just six years before the first American football game was played on the holiday. My question is, what took so long?

Washington declared a day of thanksgiving and prayer in 1789, partly to honor the new U.S. Constitution. But it was President Abraham Lincoln who proclaimed in 1863 that Thanksgiving would be held ...

Learn more about Sarah Josepha Hale and why she so desperately wanted President Abraham Lincoln to adopt the idea of Thanksgiving as a national holiday. Copied Did you know that for much of the ...

She urged her readers to celebrate Thanksgiving, published poems about the holiday, and printed recipes for roast turkey and pumpkin pie. It took years, but in 1863, President Abraham Lincoln ...

Presidents Day is a federal holiday celebrated each year in mid-February to honor past U.S. presidents. Locally, it's part of ...

Here are a few notable presidential Thanksgiving turkey pardons over the years. The first president to spare a turkey's life was the Great Emancipator, Abraham Lincoln, in 1863. The lucky bird was ...