History of Ohio Thanksgivings | Local News | starbeacon.com – The Star Beacon

Today is Thanksgivingand chances are northeast Ohio residents will be spending the day with friends and family.

In honor of the holiday,weexploredsome Thanksgivings of the past, as depicted in the Star Beacon and in other Ohios newspapers on Ohio Memory and Chronicling America.

Although the United States Thanksgiving tradition dates back to colonial times, it was not nationally observed until 1863. Following a proclamation issued by President Abraham Lincoln in October of that year, Thanksgiving became a federal holiday. Since then, it has been observed annually.

In 1941, a joint resolution of the U.S. Congressproclaimed Thanksgiving to be celebrated onthe fourth Thursday of November. Theresolution appeared in local newspapers so that citizens knew exactly which date was set aside.

Ohio newspapers in the mid-20th Century published stories and poems themed around thankfulness and family celebrations,who was visiting who for the holidays and photos of wild and domesticated turkeys

A winter blast 65 years ago leftarea residents thankful theysurvived Mother Natures wrath27 inches of snow in Ashtabula County.

According to the Star Beacon, everything came to a temporary standstill that holiday. Cars were stranded on both sides of several roads, including Route 20.

The National Guard was called in to deliver food and clear the streets.

Snow had bombarded Ashtabula County six years earlier, as well. At the time, Thanksgiving 1950 wasdeemed the most treacherousin Ashtabula County history.

The National Guard from Ashtabula brought out tanks and half-tracks to clear Route 46.Six semi-trucks were off the road in a one-mile stretch near the Miller familys farm.

They had to tunnel through the snow from their house to the barn to milk the cows, according to news reports.

In the past, and more so in the present, Thanksgiving signaledthe start of the holiday season, and the day after, Black Friday, when shoppers find sales at local stores and online.

This year,most retailers will be closed for Thanksgiving, changing history.

The new trend startedlast year when stores closed on Thanksgiving to limit crowds during the COVID-19 pandemic andpushed more sales online. What started as a temporary measure, isbeing repeated again this year.

To learn more about Ohio Thanksgivings of the past, check outthe Star Beacons newspaper collections at the Ashtabula Public Library and on Ohio Memory and Chronicling America.

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History of Ohio Thanksgivings | Local News | starbeacon.com - The Star Beacon