When Thanksgiving Was a Summer Holiday

Thanksgiving in shorts and sandals? It sounds wild today, but there was a time when this iconic holiday wasn’t tied to crisp fall air or golden leaves. In fact, Thanksgiving wasn’t always a November tradition. It was often celebrated in the middle of summer!

Curious how this happened? Let’s step back in time and uncover the surprising history of Thanksgiving’s ever-changing schedule.

Why Summer Thanksgiving?

In the early days of the Pilgrims and Puritans, Thanksgiving wasn’t a fixed annual holiday like it is now. Instead, it was a sporadic event, declared whenever the community felt the need to thank God for blessings like a good harvest, military victories, or even surviving tough winters.

This meant that Thanksgiving could happen at any time of the year, depending on when the harvest was bountiful. And in many cases, that was late summer or early fall, peak harvest season. Imagine sweating through a feast in the August sun while enjoying roasted meat and pie!

The Shift to November

So, how did we go from sun-soaked Thanksgivings to the cozy, sweater-weather holiday we know today? We can thank Sarah Josepha Hale, the "Mother of Thanksgiving." In the 19th century, she campaigned tirelessly to establish a national Thanksgiving holiday and suggested November as the perfect time.

Her reasoning? By November, most crops were harvested, and it was late enough in the year to avoid interfering with planting or harvest time. Plus, it gave people something to celebrate before the cold winter months rolled in. President Abraham Lincoln eventually heeded her advice and declared Thanksgiving a national holiday in November 1863.

Would You Celebrate Thanksgiving in Summer?

Imagine trading pumpkin pie for watermelon or cider for lemonade. While Thanksgiving in summer might sound odd today, it’s not entirely far-fetched. Think about it, many of us already enjoy outdoor barbecues, picnics, and even “Friendsgiving” gatherings in warmer months. Maybe a summer Thanksgiving could be the best of both worlds: sunshine, gratitude, and plenty of food!

What about you? Would you be on board with reviving a warm-weather Thanksgiving, or do you prefer the crisp coziness of November?

Keeping the Spirit Alive

Whether it’s celebrated in sweltering summer or chilly November, Thanksgiving has always been about gratitude, togetherness, and a delicious feast. So, no matter when or how you celebrate, the spirit of Thanksgiving is what truly matters.

💭 What Do You Think?

Would you swap November’s pumpkin pie for summer’s berry cobbler? Do you know any unique Thanksgiving traditions in your family? Share your thoughts and stories below. We love hearing them!

And don’t forget to follow our Thanksgiving Series for more surprising stories and ideas to make your holiday special. 🍂

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