CONTENTS
TOMORROW'S BLUEGR ASS STARS
FESTIVAL GUIDE
Sarah Hale was born in Newport, New Hampshire on October 24, 1788. Sarah grew up in a family that highly valued education for both sexes, so she turned out to be quite a scholar. She married a lawyer named David Hale, and they had five children. Sadly, Mr. Hale died early. Sarah began writing poetry as a source of income. She ended up writing a story you’ve probably never heard of called “Mary Had a Little Lamb.” Sarah continued to write, became the first female editor to a magazine in America, and supported causes like the abolition of slavery. Yet among these great things and the increasing division of the United States, Sarah Hale saw the need for a day for Americans to celebrate the giving of thanks together. To make this happen, Sarah wrote. She wrote a ton of articles and letters to politicians and presidents to make Thanksgiving a national holiday. President after president told her no. With the country at war and a heartbreaking number of letters with the answer “no” at her door, Sarah Hale was discouraged. Until one of my favorite presidents said…yes! President Abraham Lincoln signed a national day of thanksgiving and praise into action in 1863. Therefore, we celebrate Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November every year. So, you see, it isn’t just because of the Pilgrims and Indians that we celebrate Thanksgiving. Although, I don’t argue their profound impact on this country. That is another history lesson for another day, and I’m all out of costumes at the moment. Still, as you gather around your family to eat turkey, watch football, or even race through the stores for those candles; whatever you do, I wish you and yours a very blessed Thanksgiving and holiday season. THE BLUEGRASS STANDARD
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