American Thanksgiving
This is the granddaddy of all Thanksgiving Day parades.
What is Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade? The inaugural parade in 1924 was named the Macy’s Day Parade, and in 1927, it was renamed to reflect the Thanksgiving holiday.
Woolworth lunch counters are often credited with the creation of Sea Foam Salad, a sweet treat made with this gelatin product.
What is Jell-O? Jell-O salads were a popular dessert throughout the ’60s, but Woolworth’s lime and pear creation proved one of the most beloved.
1961: This 35th president of the United States was inaugurated earlier that year.
Who is John F. Kennedy? The article describes him as a great leader who supported civil rights, public education, and medical care for the elderly.
This is the United Kingdom’s public TV networks.
What is BBC? It began as a radio network in 1922. Today, it’s the world’s largest broadcaster.
“Over the River and Through the Woods” is a traditional Thanksgiving Day nursery rhyme in which the people are headed to this person’s house.
Who is grandmother? The song initially started as a poem by Lydia Maria Child in 1844.
A Woolworth’s counter in this North Carolina city was the setting for a sit-in during the American civil rights movement.
What is Greensboro? You can visit the lunch counter from the Greensboro Woolworth’s on display at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History.
1975: American Women were named the Persons of the Year; among the dozen women profiled was this then-First Lady.
Who is Betty Ford? The article noted her enthusiastic support for the Equal Rights Amendment and other humanitarian causes
This is Canada’s public TV network.
What is CBC? Founded in 1932 as the Canadian Radio Broadcasting Commission, it added television in 1955.
This is the traditional at-home Thanksgiving afternoon game for spectators and/or participants.
What is football? Some people watch it on TV, and others play touch football with extended family members.
Although prices had risen by the ’60s, Woolworth’s is known as one of the first “five-and-____” stores.
What is dime? Frank Woolworth’s idea to sell goods for dependably low prices proved a sensation in America as well as overseas.
1963: This reverend and civil rights activist is best remembered for his “I Have a Dream” speech.
Who is Martin Luther King Jr.? His work in civil rights helped pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
This TV franchise has made life more difficult for prosecutors and has caused jurors to have unrealistic expectations of forensic evidence.
What is CSI: Crime Scene Investigation? It’s called “the CSI effect” because on this and similar shows, the characters solve crimes through forensic evidence in the space of one hour.
This centerpiece represents the bountiful harvest of autumn.
What is a cornucopia? It means “horn of plenty” and resembles a horn full of fruits and/or flowers. It is a universal symbol of abundance, originating in Greek mythology.
In 1971, Woolworth’s began publishing a Christmas catalog, offering this service as an alternative to shopping in store.
What is mail order? Amazingly, its mail order catalogs were still published in the UK as recently as 2008!
1971 and 1972: This controversial president was named Man of the Year twice in a row, notably for opening relations with China.
Who is Richard Nixon? Interestingly, he would resign from office only two years later following the Watergate scandal.
In the original series that aired from 1959 to 1964, Rod Serling brought creepy sci-fi to the small screen in this TV series.
What is The Twilight Zone?
A customary practice is to go around the Thanksgiving table and ask everyone to answer this question.
What is “What are you thankful for?”
When Woolworth’s stores began to close in the 1980s, many were bought and re-opened under this chain of stores owned by Sam Walton.
What is Wal-mart? The two chains had been in competition since the 1960s
1980: This actor-turned-politician was awarded the honor after being elected the 40th president of the United States.
Who is Ronald Reagan? Reagan would be Person of the Year again in 1983, that time sharing the honor with Yuri Andropov
This number of days (4 or 6) was dedicated to broadcasting the details after President Kennedy’s assassination.
What is four? There was no entertainment and little other news coverage in print or on the airwaves other than the assassination. The New York Times captured it all in the commemorative book Four Days in November: The Original Coverage of the John F. Kennedy Assassination