Galen here, taking advantage of Marlene’s incipient tryptophan poisoning to do a holiday post on her blog.
Behold the national bird of the United States of America! That is, if Ben Franklin had had his way.
Quoting good old Ben:
“I am on this account not displeased that the Figure is not known as a Bald Eagle, but looks more like a Turkey. For the Truth the Turkey is in Comparison a much more respectable Bird, and withal a true original Native of America… He is besides, though a little vain & silly, a Bird of Courage, and would not hesitate to attack a Grenadier of the British Guards who should presume to invade his Farm Yard with a red Coat on.”
Of course, had the turkey become the national bird, we might feel inhibited against eating it… and I really don’t think eagle would be a good substitute. So it all works out.
Here is some reading for the day:
- “Do American Indians celebrate Thanksgiving?” by Dennis Zotigh
- “Thanksgiving: A Native American View” by Jacqueline Keeler
- 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus by Charles C. Mann
- Ties That Bind: Stories of Love and Gratitude from the First Ten Years of StoryCorps edited by Dave Isay
Happy Thanksgiving!
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