With Thanksgiving 2015 on Thursday, a look at the history of the holiday is in order. When Americans sit down to dinner on the last Thursday of November, the day that Abraham Lincoln designated as the day on which Thanksgiving would be celebrated, they do so thinking that the first Thanksgiving feast was held in Plymouth in 1621. But did you know, according to the National Geographic, the Spanish explorer Francisco Vasquez Coronado and his men celebrated a feast of Thanksgiving in Texas in 1541, giving Texas the distinction of being the first place where Thanksgiving was celebrated.
Did you also know, the Pilgrims at the Plymouth Plantation, celebrated an entirely different day of Thanksgiving in 1623. Plagued by a crop-destroying drought, the settlers prayed for relief. They even fasted. A few days later, they received rain that they so desperately needed. Soon thereafter, they received another blessing when Captain Miles Standish came with staples that they could not otherwise obtain. He also advised them that a Dutch supply ship was en route. In gratitude for the abundance of these blessings, the Plymouth settlers celebrated a day of prayer and Thanksgiving on June 30, 1623.
Surviving journals of Edward Winslow that are housed at Plymouth Plantation also indicate that the first Thanksgiving feast was nothing like what Americans eat today. The meal consisted of venison, various types of wild fowl (including wild turkey,) and Indian corn. There were no cranberries, stuffing, pumpkin pie, potatoes, or any of the other "traditional" foods that appear on modern menus.
Today, Thanksgiving is still a day of feasting, and for some, a day of prayer and thanksgiving. For others, it is a celebration of gathering, especially for families. Still others may celebrate in entirely different ways, including watching college football games, or by playing family games.
No matter how you celebrate Thanksgiving, may we never forget the true blessings that God has given to each one of us!
God Bless,
Seasons Greetings! Our entire team at Thomas Family Dentistry send out our warmest wishes to all of our patients, friends and family!
As many of the area schools close for Christmas Break, now comes the time for family vacations, hanging out around town, celebrating some special Christmas family traditions, spending time with friends, or simply catching up on sleep! And our Facebook page is a great place to share your experiences and memories with us. 
Now that the Holiday Season is in full swing, many people feel an increase in the level of stress. Although excess stress can cause headaches, stomach aches, or even cause a feeling of "being on the edge," too much stress can also contribute to many dental problems as well! Many people don't realize that mouth sores, clenching, poor dental hygiene and gum disease are possible stress related problems that have been linked to oral health as well.
Our entire team at Thomas Family Dentistry want to extend each and everyone of our patients a note of thanks for being a part of our dental family! May this holiday be filled with friends, family and great food!
