Thanksgiving Traditions in Boston

Explores the holiday’s evolving history, diverse cultural foods, and local celebrations from colonial times to today.

Noah Webster described Thanksgiving as “The act of rendering thanks or expressing gratitude for favors or mercies,” and it has been celebrated nationally on and off since 1789. Governors of Massachusetts would proclaim a local holiday of Thanksgiving, but it was Sarah J. Hale, the editor of Godey’s Lady’s Book, who promoted a national day of Thanksgiving. It was during the Ci...