The Legacy of Sarah Josepha Hale

Today, as we celebrate the spirit of gratitude and togetherness, we reflect on the rich and complex history of Thanksgiving. The modern holiday owes much to Sarah Josepha Hale, a visionary advocate who saw it as a day to unite a divided nation. Her tireless efforts remind us of the power of determination and the enduring value of gratitude.

At the same time, we recognize that Thanksgiving carries different meanings for many, particularly for Native American communities. As we gather around our tables, let us honor the blessings in our lives while also taking a moment to reflect on the diverse histories and perspectives that shape this day. Let us celebrate the values of gratitude and unity while fostering understanding and inclusivity in how we share this tradition.

A Visionary Advocate for Unity

Born in 1788 in Newport, New Hampshire, Sarah Josepha Hale was far more educated than most women of her time. Her progressive parents believed in providing their daughter with the same educational opportunities as her male counterparts, laying the foundation for a remarkable life. Hale became a writer, editor, and activist, earning acclaim as the author of the enduring nursery rhyme “Mary Had a Little Lamb.”

Life threw Hale a challenging curve when her husband, David Hale, an attorney, passed away unexpectedly, leaving her a young widow with five children. Despite these hardships, she forged ahead, dedicating herself to writing and becoming the editor of Godey’s Lady’s Book, the most widely read women’s magazine of its time.

Sarah Josepha Hale and Godey’s Lady’s Book

Hale’s influence extended far beyond her campaign for Thanksgiving. As editor of Godey’s Lady’s Book from 1837 to 1877, she shaped the cultural and intellectual lives of women in 19th-century America. The magazine, which boasted a readership of over 150,000 at its peak, was a groundbreaking publication dedicated to women’s issues, literature, fashion, and domestic life. Hale used its pages not only to promote the ideals of womanhood and family but also to advocate for social reforms, including women’s education, the abolition of slavery, and property rights for women. Her leadership transformed Godey’s Lady’s Book into a powerful platform for shaping public opinion and advancing important causes.

Today, Hale’s work lives on through digital preservation efforts. Godey’s Lady’s Book is part of Coherent Digital’s Women’s Magazines and Newspapers collection, ensuring that scholars, researchers, and the public have access to this invaluable resource. This inclusion highlights the enduring legacy of Hale’s editorial contributions and offers contemporary audiences a glimpse into the cultural and social issues of her time, as well as the historical context of her campaign for a national Thanksgiving holiday.

The Long Fight for Thanksgiving

During the 19th century, Thanksgiving was a regional observance, celebrated primarily in the Northeast. Hale envisioned it as a day that could bridge the divisions within the country, particularly as tensions escalated toward the Civil War. She believed a national day of gratitude and unity could help strengthen the moral and cultural fabric of a divided America.

For decades, Hale used her editorial platform in Godey’s Lady’s Book to advocate for a unified Thanksgiving Day. She wrote letters to governors, influential leaders, and eventually to the President himself, urging the creation of a nationwide holiday. Her persistence culminated in a powerful appeal to President Abraham Lincoln in September 1863, during the darkest days of the Civil War.

“You may have observed that, for some years past, there has been an increasing interest felt in our land to have the Thanksgiving held on the same day, in all the States,” Hale wrote. She expressed hope that Lincoln could help secure “the permanency and unity of our Great American Festival of Thanksgiving.”

Lincoln's Proclamation

Moved by Hale’s eloquent plea and recognizing the importance of fostering unity in a fractured nation, President Lincoln issued a proclamation on October 3, 1863. He called on Americans to observe the last Thursday of November as a day of “Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.”

This marked the first nationally recognized Thanksgiving Day. However, it was not universally adopted at the time. The Confederate states, still in rebellion, did not consider themselves bound by Lincoln’s proclamation. Nonetheless, Hale’s efforts had laid the groundwork for a tradition that would grow in significance.

A National Holiday Takes Shape

In 1870, Thanksgiving was formally recognized as a national holiday by congressional legislation. Decades later, in 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a resolution setting the holiday on the fourth Thursday of November, ensuring its place in the American calendar.

A Legacy of Gratitude and Unity

More than 160 years after Lincoln’s proclamation, Thanksgiving continues to hold a special place in the hearts of Americans. It is a day for family, love, and reflection—a tradition that owes much to the tireless advocacy of Sarah Josepha Hale. Her vision of a united nation, pausing together to give thanks, remains a poignant reminder of the power of determination and the enduring value of gratitude.

This Thanksgiving, as we gather around our tables, let us not only give thanks for the blessings in our lives but also honor the woman whose efforts helped create this beloved national tradition.