3 chapters across the catalog
The true history of Thanksgiving is contrasted against modern mythology, noting that the holiday was formally initiated by Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War to honor dead soldiers rather than being a continuous tradition from the 1700s. The narrative of Puritans and Native Americans dining together is described as a later re-engineering of history. The discussion briefly touches on Canadian Thanksgiving, noting its earlier date in October.
Thanksgiving History, Abraham Lincoln and Holiday Skepticism
John C. Dvorak argues that Thanksgiving is a manufactured holiday, claiming its modern iteration was created by Abraham Lincoln to honor Civil War dead rather than being a direct continuation of Pilgrim traditions. He recounts how his children were nearly expelled from school for sharing his skeptical views on the holiday's origins. The discussion touches on the transition from traditional harvest festivals to the current national holiday.
Thanksgiving History, Abraham Lincoln, War Holiday Origins
The modern American Thanksgiving holiday originated from an 1860s proclamation by Abraham Lincoln to thank soldiers during the Civil War. While George Washington issued an earlier proclamation, the "Pilgrim and Indian" narrative was largely a later invention. The hosts note that recent presidential rhetoric has increasingly framed the day as a "war holiday" focused on military sacrifice.
