A Day to Give Thanks: Holiday Quotes From Famous and Not So Famous Folks

Thanksgiving began as a day to be thankful, enjoy our families and friends and count our blessings. 

It's evolved since President Abraham Lincoln declared in 1863 that the last day in November be set aside as an official American holiday. It's doubtful he could have envisioned a day that now includes football games and shopping at the mall.

Over the years Thanksgiving Day has been remembered in a number of ways. Here is a compilation of quotes, poems and sayings by famous and not so famous folks that had a way with words.

Remember God's bounty in the year.  String the pearls of His favor.  Hide the dark parts, except so far as they are breaking out in light!  Give this one day to thanks, to joy, to gratitude!  ~Henry Ward Beecher

Thanksgiving Day comes, by statute, once a year; to the honest man it comes as frequently as the heart of gratitude will allow.  ~Edward Sandford Martin

Thanksgiving Day is a jewel, to set in the hearts of honest men; but be careful that you do not take the day, and leave out the gratitude.  ~E.P. Powell

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.  ~John Fitzgerald Kennedy

For each new morning with its light, For rest and shelter of the night, For health and food, for love and friends, For everything Thy goodness sends. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

And lastly a word from the late Erma Bombeck:

What we're really talking about is a wonderful day set aside on the fourth Thursday of November when no one diets.  I mean, why else would they call it Thanksgiving?  ~Erma Bombeck, "No One Diets on Thanksgiving," 26 November 1981

Wishing you a very Happy Thanksgiving,
Judy Putnam

Source: The Quote Garden