Matt Faulkner

You might think you know the entire story behind Thanksgiving, tracing it back to a jubilant historical feast on the shores of Plymouth. But by the middle of the nineteenth century, America's observance of the holiday was rapidly fading into memory. Neither Congress nor the presidents seemed interested in reviving the tradition. It looked as though Thanksgiving might be lost to history forever. Enter Sarah Josepha Hale, an invincible and brilliant lady editor who simply refused to take no for an answer. Armed with nothing more than her pen and an iron will, she took it upon herself to rewrite the recipe for the national holiday we celebrate today. Over the course of thirty-five years, she petitioned leaders, wrote passionate orations, and relentlessly campaigned through the chaos of the Civil War and the administrations of five different presidents. In 1863, her steadfast dedication finally caught the attention of Abraham Lincoln, who signed the official Thanksgiving Proclamation. This boisterous, inspiring story is a powerful tribute to perseverance, advocacy, and the incredible impact that one determined citizen can have on the cultural fabric of a nation.