| In the U.S.A., it's the Thanksgiving holiday today. | | | | Here in Colombia, South America |
| The day is traditionally celebrated on the fourth | | | | Here in Colombia, the holiday isn't officially |
| Thursday of November with an emphasis on | | | | celebrated. I still have to work so I'm giving two |
| home and family. In Canada Thanksgiving is | | | | final exams at the Santiago de Cali University. |
| celebrated on the second Monday of October. | | | | Later this evening I have an important meeting to |
| Usually in the U.S. there's a huge dinner served for | | | | attend. |
| all the extended family to enjoy together. The | | | | Thanksgiving is the one traditional holiday that I |
| first official declaration of a national observance | | | | miss by living as an ex-pat English language |
| was in York, Pennsylvania (which is my | | | | teaching professional in Colombia. The weather |
| hometown and where Mom still is) on November | | | | today is sunny and 80 plus degrees - quite typical |
| 1, 1777. The first national Thanksgiving holiday | | | | for much of the year here in the city of Cali. |
| was celebrated on Thursday, December 18th of | | | | Although turkey is in fact available here, it's |
| 1777. There's a cast iron plaque in downtown | | | | horrendously expensive, with a large bird costing |
| York, Pennsylvania to commemorate it. | | | | more than a day's pay. Other traditional |
| During the American Civil War from1861 to 1865, | | | | Thanksgiving Day dinner ingredients may or may |
| American President Abraham Lincoln declared the | | | | not be available, like cranberry sauce or even |
| observance of Thanksgiving to be held on the last | | | | cranberries for that matter. |
| Thursday of November. | | | | For those of you with your family enjoying a |
| And did you know that today, November 22, | | | | traditional dinner of roast turkey with cranberry |
| 2007, is the 44th anniversary of the assassination | | | | sauce, candied sweet potatoes, greens, |
| of American President John Fitzgerald Kennedy in | | | | cornbread, with other scrumptious goodies and |
| Dallas, Texas on November 22, 1963? | | | | pumpkin pie for dessert, my jealous best wishes |
| But Wait, There's More | | | | for a memorable day today. And I also wish you |
| Today also happens to be my Mother's birthday, | | | | many more. And for those of you in other lands |
| and every few years it falls exactly on | | | | who have never experienced a traditional |
| Thanksgiving Day. You can be sure that I'll try to | | | | Thanksgiving holiday dinner, well, you just don't |
| call and talk to her later today. | | | | know what you're missing! |