Answers to Thanksgiving Quiz

We hope you had a thankful day Thursday! Did you take our quiz? If not, click here to take the quiz before you look at the answers below.

1.  Thanksgiving as a national holiday began with the Pilgrims.  True or False

False. The national holiday did not begin with the Pilgrims. In 1777 the Continental Congress declared the first national day of Thanksgiving, following the American victory at Saratoga.

2.  The Pilgrims observed an annual Thanksgiving feast beginning in 1621.  True or False

False. According to most historians, the pilgrims never observed an annual Thanksgiving feast in autumn. In the year 1621, they did celebrate a feast near Plymouth, Massachusetts, following their first harvest. But this feast most people refer to as the first Thanksgiving was never repeated.

3.  Abraham Lincoln was the first U. S. President to proclaim a Thanksgiving holiday.  True or False

False. George Washington became the first president to proclaim a Thanksgiving holiday, when in 1789 he set aside November 26, a Tuesday, as a day of thanksgiving for adoption of the U.S. Constitution.

4.  Who started a campaign in 1846 to make Thanksgiving a holiday celebrating harvests going back to the Pilgrims' feast?

Sarah Josepha Hale, editor of a popular 19th century woman’s magazine called Godey’s Lady’s Book.

5.  Which U. S. President named the last Thursday in November as the day to celebrate Thanksgiving?

In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of thanksgiving to be celebrated on Nov. 26, a Thursday that year. In his proclamation, Lincoln named the last Thursday in the month as the day to celebrate.

6.  Which U. S. President thought the last Thursday was too close to Christmas and mandated the third Thursday in November as the day to celebrate Thanksgiving?

With a few exceptions, Lincoln’s precedent was followed by every subsequent president – until 1939. That year Franklin D. Roosevelt, who thought the last Thursday was too close to Christmas, mandated the third Thursday in November instead.

7.  What country celebrates Thanksgiving on the second Monday in October?

Canada

8.  Who said this?  "Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor, and Whereas both Houses of Congress have by their Joint Committee requested me 'to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanks-giving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.'”

George Washington said this in his Thanksgiving Proclamation on October 3, 1789. Read the entire proclamation here.

9.  Who said this?  "Let us recommit ourselves to that devotion to God and family that has played such an important role in making this a great Nation, and which will be needed as a source of strength if we are to remain a great people."

Ronald Reagan said this in his Thanksgiving Proclamation on November 12, 1981.

10. Who said this?  "First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.  This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior."

Paul said this in his letter to Timothy. See 1 Timothy 2:1-3.

Sources for this quiz:
http://blog.constitutioncenter.org/10-surprising-thanksgiving-facts/
http://christianity.about.com/od/holidaytips/a/thanksgivingtra.htm
http://www.ashbrook.org/articles/washington.html