>        I am trying to do a little research regarding the celebration of the
>Thanksgiving Holiday in New Orleans.  I don't believe that the holiday was
>celebrated here till this century but I would appreciate any further
>information.  When did it start?  Who started it?  Any information would be
>helpful, thank you in advance.
>Stacy Spatz


Thanksgiving as a holiday was instituted by President Lincoln in 1863, to
give thanks for surviving two terrible years of war.  It is, in reality,
our one and only official religious holiday.  For those of you who don't
believe in the separation of church and state, there's your precedent.  I
don't know when the Southern states began recognizing the holiday, but no
one was until 1863.

Cheers,
HBC

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Henry B. Crawford        Curator of History
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806/742-2442           Box 43191
FAX 742-1136             Lubbock, TX  79409-3191
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