A view of Market Street, circa 1907
a history of gratitude By Jennifer Crutchfield
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early 88 percent of Americans will eat close to 46 million turkeys on Thanksgiving this year, and as our country gives thanks, Chattanoogans will celebrate, donate and remember. The Tennessee Valley was a wilderness in 1621 when the Plymouth colonists and the Wampanoag Indians shared the three-day autumn harvest feast acknowledged as the first Thanksgiving celebration. Chattanooga families will gather, walk, donate, volunteer and serve during this holiday, finding inspiration in each other, their families and their community.
Both our country and our city have a long tradition of giving thanks 8 • The Pulse • November 28-december 4, 2013 • chattanoogapulse.com
Americans have always been thankful. Finding freedom and safely on foreign shores infused those new Americans with a gratitude that is unique and that perseveres. Canada, Japan, Germany, Liberians and the Netherlands also celebrate a Thanksgiving holiday but the American celebration is one of a kind. The Continental Congress issued Thanksgiving Proclamations as early as 1777 celebrating victories at the Battle of Saratoga, and newly