The American Tradition of Thanksgiving
In American Christianity, either the head of the household or an honored guest often ad libs a special grace on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter, while the others observe a moment of silence. In some households it is customary for all at the table to hold hands during the grace.
Read more about this topic: Grace (prayer)
Famous quotes containing the words american, tradition and/or thanksgiving:
“The novel is, or may be, among the mightiest instruments for swaying the heart and guiding the lives of men.”
—P., U.S. women’s magazine contributor. American Ladies Magazine, pp. 357-9 (August 1828)
“Our tradition of political thought had its definite beginning in the teachings of Plato and Aristotle. I believe it came to a no less definite end in the theories of Karl Marx.”
—Hannah Arendt (1906–1975)
“Ah! on Thanksgiving day, when from East and from West,
From North and from South, come the pilgrim and guest,
When the gray-haired New Englander sees round his board
The old broken links of affection restored,
When the care-wearied man seeks his mother once more,
And the worn matron smiles where the girl smiled before.
What moistens the lip and what brightens the eye?
What calls back the past, like the rich Pumpkin pie?”
—John Greenleaf Whittier (1807–1892)