Our National Thanksgiving
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November 5th we celebrated the 250th birthday of the Town of Hancock NH with a presentation by Sarah Josepha Hale and Abraham Lincoln on Our National Thanksgiving.
Steve and Sharon Wood of Claremont portrayed the 16th president and the editor of the popular 19th century magazine, Godey's Lady's Book. Together, they told the story of NH born Sara Josepha Hale's 30-year campaign to have Thanksgiving declared a national holiday. |
Over the years she petitioned multiple presidents as well as other politicians and illuminaries. She even had her readers send letters to important people hoping to convince them that as a national holiday, Thanksgiving would help unite our citizens in a common, heartfelt expression of gratitude and solidarity. Her efforts were successful when Lincoln signed his Thanksgiving proclamation in 1863 while the Civil War was still raging.
Sharon Wood is a librarian, writer, storyteller, and historic presenter, member of League for the Advancement of New England Storytelling and lifetime member of Association of Lincoln Presenters.
Steve wood is a retired Sullivan County Forester, UNH Cooperative Extension, and lifetime member of Association of Lincoln Presenters.
The event was held at the Vestry and was sponsored by the New Hampshire Humanities Council. |
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Contact
Us
Hancock Historical Society  -
PO Box 138,
7 Main St., Hancock
NH 03449
(603) 525-9379
Last update: Nov. 14, 2009
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