THE BIDENS' - Thanksgiving Message Nov 2020

THANKSGIVING - Myths and the Turkey Pardon

"How teachers are debunking some of the myths of Thanksgiving" PBS NewsHour 11/20/2018

Excerpt

SUMMARY:  School children in the U.S. often celebrate Thanksgiving by dressing up as pilgrims and “Indians.”  But these traditions tend to perpetuate myths that are offensive to Native American communities.  Education correspondent Kavitha Cardoza takes a look at a new movement aiming to reinvent the way schools teach Thanksgiving.

"The surprising history behind the Thanksgiving turkey pardon" PBS NewsHour 11/20/2018

Excerpt

SUMMARY:  The tradition of the U.S. President’s pardoning a turkey at Thanksgiving was repeated once again at the White House, as President Trump performed the ritual before heading to Mar-a-Lago.  But what started this peculiar custom?  Yamiche Alcindor reports on the surprising history behind the holiday practice.

MANHATTAN TRANSFER - Nutmeg and New York City

"How nutmeg made its way from 15th-century infamy to the Thanksgiving table" PBS NewsHour 11/22/2017

Excerpt

SUMMARY:  Now a Thanksgiving staple, nutmeg, used to be worth its weight in gold.  The spice, originally grown only on the island of Banda Rhun, was so attractive to the Dutch East India Company that it traded its ownership of land that is now New York City for sole control of its trade.  Why was our favorite eggnog garnish so valuable to 15th-century explorers?  Special correspondent Mike Cerre has the answer.

OPINION - Shields and Brooks 11/28/2014

"Shields and Brooks on the Ferguson ruling, Hagel resignation" PBS NewsHour 11/28/2014

Excerpt

SUMMARY:  Syndicated columnist Mark Shields and New York Times columnist David Brooks join Judy Woodruff to discuss the week’s news, including the grand jury verdict on the death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, the resignation of Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, plus what our commentators are thankful for this Thanksgiving.