The Historical Reason The Entire Country Has New Jersey To Thank For Thanksgiving
Ah, Thanksgiving. It’s one of the best times of the year — who doesn’t love good food or time with loved ones? We all have heard legends about the origin of this uniquely American holiday, but did you know New Jersey actually played a crucial role in the creation of Thanksgiving?
(And no, it's not because of our delicious pork roll sandwiches, our world-class beaches, our gorgeous state parks, or our impeccable pizza. But they can be thankful for those things, too!).
The whole concept was dreamed up by a New Jerseyan! Representative Elias Boudinot of New Jersey suggested the idea back in September 1789.
And President George Washington obviously loved the idea!
Fun fact: It was the first federal holiday established by the U.S. government.
The date moved around a bit in the following decades, but ultimately it was decided to keep the last Thursday of November as the official holiday date.
And of course, eat delicious food. Boudinot in New Jersey had the right idea!
So, next time you’re explaining what you’re thankful for around the dinner table, make sure to give a shout out to New Jersey!
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