Happy Beer-Day!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

While it is debated as to whether the first harvest festival by Europeans was by the Spanish or the Pilgrims on the Mayflower (some even say the Vikings predated both and should be considered the first to celebrate a feat f giving thanks), Thanksgiving was declared an official holiday for the United states  in 1789 by George Washington and the official day was set by Abraham Lincoln in 1863 and most historians say it derives from the Calvinist holiday of giving thanks.

Though the reason has changed, we still today we celebrate goodwill towards others in time of need...actually, get rid of that 'still'. Originally, those we know as Pilgrims did not come directly from England to flee religious persecution, but from Holland, fearing they would lose their cultural identity, as the political and social environment was accepting of too many alternate philosophies and religions.

Originally the Mayflower was scheduled to land in the Caribbean to take part in lucrative trade in sugar, rum, and other newly discovered goods.  After many disasters involving poorly made ships (there were originally two, but one sprang a leak), disease, and starvation, the passengers requested they stop at what is now New England to replenish one of their most important supplies: beer.

Beer back then was not like beer today.  Beer back then was drunk by everyone, including children, and was the only viable beverage back then. There was no other way to purify water, save with a small amount of alcohol, and the only other options were seawater or body fluids (which they weren't going to even think about).

While today we think of a harvest involving many new world foods, such as pumpkins, potatoes, and turkeys, their harvest consisted of barely and not much else (barely is an overwintering cover crop and most of what they ate grew in the spring).  The celebration of eating food was later and not as celebrated as being able to drink healthy water.

Sadly, also spitting the face of idealism, the pilgrims were attacked by natives and ended up defending themselves using cannons against their attackers, giving the pilgrims something more to celebrate.

But these days are different.  We get together to celebrate peace, family, and all that we and have and can give.

Beer, Turkey, or just a can of pringles, share the wealth, health, and merriment.