Thanksgiving Day

In this "bonus" episode, which originally aired in radio format on November 25th, 2021 (and which I've only just now converted to podcast format), I discuss Thanksgiving the holiday, as well as the practice of giving thanks. I explore the history of the holiday, which actually has very little to do with the meal shared by Pilgrims and Wampanoags in 1621. That was more of a celebration than a thanksgiving, as (at least for the Pilgrims) giving thanks typically entailed fasting and quiet contemplation. In reading about the true origins of this holiday, I realized how thoroughly Christian it is, and what a large role religion originally played in US government, and how much more willing to go without certain creature comforts the American people used to be.