Trevor,
as to when the date for our Thanksgiving is, we just look it up on the
yearly calendar. No, it doesn't spread over a period of days. It's all us
adults who tend to spread over a period of years. But, actually, it's our
unique creation. Something purely American, where we stop and say "thank
you" to the Great Almighty for everything that we have. I'm sure that there
are those who would tie Thanksgiving into some sort of Harvest festival. No
doubt it is, of a sort. But it's something more than that. I could ramble
here, too, but I would get rather spiritual.
Unfortunately, Thanksgiving has now been seized by commercialism as the
excuse to start the (American) Christmas holiday season. I dispise this
completely. I avoid stores and shopping malls at this time.
As for Halloween, I am surprised at you, Trevor! All Hallow's Eve, hmmm?
In the southwestern states where there has been a strong latino influence,
you will also find 'Dios Dei Los Muertos' or 'Day of the Dead' (apologies
for incorrect spelling). This is from the Aztec culture.
regards,
Joanne

"Pinky" > wrote in message
...
> Too many years ago when an officer cadet at the Royal Military Academy
> Sandhurst I had to study a particular General in detail as part of my
> military history studies. My first choice out of a short list was
Alexander
> the Great and my second was Stonewall Jackson. Happily for me my first
> choice was accepted and has led to a lifetime fascination of the life and
> times of Alexander, his predecessors and inheritors.
> However it meant that I never studied the history of the USA in any
detail,
> which might have been nurtured had I researched General Jackson in the
> detail to which I had done with Alexander.
> So much of my knowledge of your history is based on peripheral knowledge
> gained over a lifetime and is not without an element or two of detail.
> However there are huge holes ( "black holes" is appropriate ). One of
them
> is your Thanksgiving date. Oh I understand the background of its
historical
> beginnings but have no idea of the date -- which is obviously at this time
> of year.
> It approaches the vagueness of " when is Easter". Hopefully it is not a
> feast that spreads it date over several days ( or even weeks like
> Christmas ). One of the sad things in UK is the deterioration of the
ancient
> "celebration" of "Guy Fawkes Night" ( Bonfire night ) on 5 November. As
a
> boy and for the last 400 odd years it had been celebrated uniquely on the
> night of 5 November with a preceding evening ( Mischievous Night --
> probably the antecedent of your Halloween). But that was it.
> On an ever increasing basis it now covers about 2 weeks by various profit
> and non profit organisations having their individual "safe" nights --
> augmented by the local vandals letting of illegal "bombs" from the end of
> September. or it happens on the nearest weekend before or after! Quite sad
> really!
> It is akin to me only eating fresh strawberries when they are in season
> locally at the end of June/early July.
> I can now buy hot cross buns all year round in my local supermarket but I
> don't -- it is a treat at Easter when I bake my own.
> I am, inevitably a product of my age -- but there is so much more inherent
> pleasure in events that re-occur annually, in season and briefly. If you
> extend the season then the pleasure is diluted to an eventual nonentity!
>
>
> Oh sorry --- there I go again! All I originally started out on was that
I
> didn't know the date ( fixed?) of Thanksgiving day
>
> Trust the US to have 2 "Christmases" ( you know -- family emotional
times)
>
> If any of you were nearer I might send you a bottle of my 4 year old
> strawberry "Champagne" but I have only 3 bottles left!
>
> Happy thanksgiving to all in USA
>
>
> Sorry for the ramble!
>
>
>
> --
> Trevor A Panther
> In South Yorkshire, England
> Remove "SPAMLESS" from my address line to reply.
> All outgoing mail is scanned by Norton
> Anti Virus for your protection too!
> "Dar V" > wrote in message
> ...
> > So what type of wine are you having for Thanksgiving?
> > I'm opening up my first bottle of cranberry wine, and at sometime this
> week
> > I'll open up a bottle of strawberry.
> >
> > Happy Thanksgiving,
> > Darlene
> >
> >
> >
>
>