Many have written and wondered why I remained silent during the presidential election. It's simple: when you have lived as long as I have and met more presidents than most, taking sides or espousing political views tends to alienate as many folks as would applaud. No, mine is not the place for rhetoric to change the world. Instead, I try to teach by example, and, for those who read this blog, through reminiscence.

Presidents.

I tend to think of the presidents I have known when it comes around to Thanksgiving.

It was George Washington who called the first day of national thanksgiving to celebrate the defeat of General Burgoyne at Saratoga. But then the concept kind of crapped out. Jefferson thought proclaiming holidays smacked too much of royalty. So official "days of thanksgiving" had to wait.

Almost a hundred years, in fact. Thanks to the efforts of one Sarah Joseph Hale (who I think I may have written about before?), editor of Godey's Lady's Book, one of the nation's first women's magazines.

Hale fought for decades to get Thanksgiving declared a national holiday. She wrote to influential people, including President Lincoln, many times during the years 1861 to 1863, arguing that a day of national thanks would help to heal a natin being torn apart by civil war. Then on September 28, 1863, she apparently captured Abe's attention with one of her many letters. On October 3, 1863, he issued a proclamation setting aside the last Thursday in November as Thanksgiving Day.

Of course, it wasn't until 1939 that FDR moved the date to the third Thursday of the month of November. Why? Most say it was to give retailers and the public more time to prep (and shop) for Christmas.

Whatever the reason, the date didn't catch on. Football coaches found their bowl game schedules fouled up. And others just plain didn't like celebrating so early. So in 1941, the date was officially changed to the fourth Thursday in November.

So this Thanksgiving, I ask you to remember the tiny firebrand named Sarah Hale who wouldn't give up on the notion that Turkey and pumpkin pie (mentioned in her novel, Northwood) should be on every American table come the end of November.

Me? I'm a leg man.