Happy Thanksgiving!
Randy Wolken, President & CEO
Thanksgiving is one of America’s most cherished traditions, a day that invites us to pause, breathe deeply, and look with gratitude at the people, stories, and blessings that shape our lives. Though it has evolved over centuries, its core values remain the same: gratitude, community, and the celebration of shared abundance.
The origins of Thanksgiving go back to the early 1600s. In 1620, after a challenging Atlantic crossing, the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth. Their first winter was devastating — cold, sickness, and scarcity took a heavy toll, and yet, the story that emerges from this difficult beginning is one of partnership and grace. The Wampanoag people, led by Massasoit, extended hospitality that would prove essential to the survival of the newcomers. Through figures like Tisquantum, more commonly known as Squanto, the Pilgrims learned how to plant corn, fish the local waters, and work the land effectively. When the harvest of 1621 proved successful, both the colonists and Wampanoag people gathered for a three-day feast — a shared celebration of provision and perseverance. It wasn’t called “Thanksgiving” at the time, but it embodied the spirit we now associate with the holiday: gratitude expressed in community.
Through the centuries, the idea of a yearly day of thanksgiving took root. Colonies held sporadic harvest festivals, and later presidents, including George Washington, issued national calls for gratitude. However, it wasn’t until 1863, in the middle of the Civil War, that Thanksgiving was proclaimed a national holiday by Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln invited a divided nation to pause and acknowledge blessings even amid conflict — an extraordinary act of leadership and hope. His proclamation framed gratitude not as escapism but as a resilient virtue that strengthens the spirit in turbulent times.
Today, Thanksgiving is more than a historical remembrance; it’s a living practice woven into the rhythms of American life. Families gather across miles, neighbors share meals, faith communities hold services of thanks, and kitchen tables become altars of abundance. While recipes and traditions vary — turkey or ham, stuffing or dressing, pumpkin or apple pie — the meaning behind the meal is consistent: we honor the gifts we’ve been given and the people who make our lives richer.
In our modern world of speed, distraction, and constant forward movement, Thanksgiving stands as a gentle but powerful reminder that the good in our lives multiplies when we pause to notice it. Gratitude lifts our perspective, softens our relationships, and opens our hearts. Whether we celebrate in a large home filled with laughter, in a quiet space with one or two loved ones, or even from a distance through calls and messages, the essence remains: we choose to see the blessings that surround us.
Thanksgiving’s origins teach us that gratitude can grow out of hardship, cooperation can bridge divides, and shared meals can form lasting bonds. Its current remembrance invites us to cherish what we have, honor those who came before us, and renew our commitment to generosity and compassion. In that spirit, Thanksgiving remains not just a holiday but a hopeful posture, a way of seeing the world with full hearts and open hands. Happy Thanksgiving from the entire staff at MACNY!