November 26, 2025: Establishing the Thanksgiving holiday

In an era when national holidays were rare, what did it take for Thanksgiving to make the cut?

Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln play significant roles in the creation of the Thanksgiving holiday — but it was also writer and activist Sarah Hale who beat the drum for decades.

Plus the local news for Nov. 26 and a round-up of events in What Where When-sday.

Credits:

This is a production of Nashville Public Radio.

Host/producer: Tony Gonzalez

Editor: LaTonya Turner

Additional support: Mack Linebaugh and the staff of WPLN and WNXP