Happy Thanksgiving

Public school administrators in Maryland are attempting an even more difficult feat than capturing shadows, namely, teaching students about the origin of Thanksgiving without mentioning God.

“We teach about Thanksgiving from a purely historical perspective not a religious perspective,” said Charles Ridgell, St. Mary’s County Public Schools curriculum and instruction director.

Although much derided for his perceived lack of acuity, our chief executive may be on a more solid historical footing here than the guardians and purveyors of our national knowledge. “Thanksgiving tradition dates back to our nation’s earlier days,” President George W. Bush said when he “pardoned” a couple of Thanksgiving turkeys. “We are a nation founded by men and women who deeply felt their dependence on God and always gave Him thanks and praise.”

In his “Answer Man” column, veteran journalist and history buff Andy Seamans gives us this valuable historical news: Our first president, George Washington, proclaimed November 26, 1784, a day for “rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people in this country, previous to their becoming a nation.”

Happy Thanksgiving!