All things English/American

Jeepers Merlin, the notion of Thanksgiving is pretty easy that even I know about it. No wiki needed. The Pilgrims of the Plymouth colony gave thanks to God after surviving their first hard winter in New England. Gave thanks for being helped to survive by the indigenous, Native American population. You've heard of Squanto surely and the leader of the Wampanoag tribe who donated food to the colonists after the supplies they brought from England ran out. I could be entirely wrong in this of course, I've only done the basic history of the 'colonies'.

I look forward to hearing what the celebration means to Planet members personally.

[Apocalipstic]

Wow, Thanksgiving.

What Incubus said is the party line....

But if I think about it in that vein I have to go with it being a celebration of the stealing and raping of the central part of the North American continent by colonists.

So, I try to go with it being a day to reflect on those things I am thankful for like my friends, my job etc.

Originally Posted by apocalipstic

Wow, Thanksgiving.

What Incubus said is the party line....

But if I think about it in that vein I have to go with it being a celebration of the stealing and raping of the central part of the North American continent by colonists.

So, I try to go with it being a day to reflect on those things I am thankful for like my friends, my job etc.

It's the history I've been taught of course which is Eurocentric just as yours is US-centric. I'm pleased to say the the Brits weren't the first to land and colonize. Weren't the Spanish, Portuguese and French there before us?

To be fair, when I celebrate Thanksgiving with my 'merican friend we're giving thanks for good friends and for our democratic freedoms.

[wolfbittenpoet]

Originally Posted by Incubus

It's the history I've been taught of course which is Eurocentric just as yours is US-centric. I'm pleased to say the the Brits weren't the first to land and colonize. Weren't the Spanish, Portuguese and French there before us?

To be fair, when I celebrate Thanksgiving with my 'merican friend we're giving thanks for good friends and for our democratic freedoms.

While the other nationalities are the first colonizers the Brits are who get remembered on Thanksgiving. In my family we decide that the holiday really is a precursor carb loading time for the madness that is Black Friday.

Originally Posted by wolfbittenpoet

While the other nationalities are the first colonizers the Brits are who get remembered on Thanksgiving. In my family we decide that the holiday really is a precursor carb loading time for the madness that is Black Friday.

To be fair, the English (as opposed to the UK) were creating the Empire and starting it's dirty, bullish, colonizing ways long before they landed in Plymouth. Black Friday, wiki says that's the start of the Christmas shopping period, is that what you mean?

[Ciaran]

Originally Posted by Incubus

To be fair, the English (as opposed to the UK) were creating the Empire and starting it's dirty, bullish, colonizing ways long before they landed in Plymouth. Black Friday, wiki says that's the start of the Christmas shopping period, is that what you mean?

The Empire was a British creation, not solely an English one.

The UK, itself, had nothing to do with the Empire as it was simply a constitutional framework to unite Scotland to England and Wales (in 1707) and, subsequently, Ireland. The Empire was being built before the UK existed in an constitutional sense.

[Trishagee]

I would move to the UK (anywhere in the UK) just to get Eastenders! I watched it for many (many) years on Public Broadcasting (delayed 1 or 2 years sadly) then it was taken away from me I try to keep up on their web page, but it's not the same! (ohhh and the curry take out would be an added bonus!)

Originally Posted by Ciaran

The Empire was a British creation, not solely an English one.

The UK, itself, had nothing to do with the Empire as it was simply a constitutional framework to unite Scotland to England and Wales (in 1707) and, subsequently, Ireland. The Empire was being built before the UK existed in an constitutional sense.

Yes of course it was. The Empire was starting to be created in the 17th century, in North America as it happens but that's by-the-by.

Originally Posted by Trishagee

I would move to the UK (anywhere in the UK) just to get Eastenders! I watched it for many (many) years on Public Broadcasting (delayed 1 or 2 years sadly) then it was taken away from me I try to keep up on their web page, but it's not the same! (ohhh and the curry take out would be an added bonus!)

Do you lot not get BBCiPlayer over there?

[Kätzchen]

Merlin?

My heart feels torn about many American social holidays, mainly because of social rituals and identity. It's a slippery slope in my mind, celebration of a holiday. I like Thanksgiving because it's a nice time to come together with people you care deeply for (family, friends, relatives) and I cannot help but think of people who have no family, friends or relatives to spend a holiday with.

I think everyday should be a 'holiday' - one in which we feel invited for who we are, where we have a place at the 'table' to sup with one another. There's nothing like good food, conversation that enriches the soul, and a social bonding that brings us together in ways that stands the test of time.

What about you? Is there a particular holiday that means a lot to you?

Personally, I think birthdays are important holidays. . .

[Merlin]

Originally Posted by Incubus

Jeepers Merlin, the notion of Thanksgiving is pretty easy that even I know about it. No wiki needed. The Pilgrims of the Plymouth colony gave thanks to God after surviving their first hard winter in New England. Gave thanks for being helped to survive by the indigenous, Native American population. You've heard of Squanto surely and the leader of the Wampanoag tribe who donated food to the colonists after the supplies they brought from England ran out. I could be entirely wrong in this of course, I've only done the basic history of the 'colonies'.

I look forward to hearing what the celebration means to Planet members personally.

Never did anything about american history at school. That's why I am asking the americans lol.