FLOSSI, THANKSGIVING & MARY HAD A LITTLE LAMB

Sarah Hale used her persuasive writings to support the creation of Thanksgiving as a national holiday. Beginning in 1846, she charged the president and other leading politicians to push for the national celebration of Thanksgiving, which was then only celebrated in the Northeast. 

Her requests for recognition were largely ignored by politicians until 1863. While the nation was in the Civil War, President Lincoln signed into action “A National Day of Thanksgiving and Praise.” Hale’s letter to Lincoln is often cited as the main factor in his decision. 

“Seen a lot of dogs today, have you?"
"Uh, dogs? Yes, yes, many of them are staying right here at the hotel."
"A lot of them right here in the lobby. - Best in Show

Sarah Josepha Hale was born in Newport, New Hampshire, on October 24th, 1788. Her parents were strong advocates for the education of both sexes. 

If you get a French, Chinese, or German Shepherd dog, do they all bark the same?

Later, she married a lawyer, David Hale, who supported her in all her scholarly endeavors. 

Sadly, her husband died after only nine years of marriage, leaving Hale a widow with five children. 

She turned to poetry as a form of income. Her most famous book, Poems for Our Children, included a beloved story from her childhood: “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” which became a popular nursery rhyme.

"Are you gonna bark all day, little doggie, or are you gonna bite?". -Reservoir Dogs

Hale also used her platform to support other causes, including abolishing slavery and, later, colonization (freeing African Americans and sending them to Africa). While working as an editor, she raised money for various historic sites. Hale helped to preserve George Washington’s home and financially supported the construction of the Bunker Hill Monument. 

Hale did not support the women’s suffrage movement because she believed women’s political participation would limit their influence in the home. However, Hale used the magazine to advocate for women's education and the rights of women as property owners.
Hale retired as editor in 1877 and died two years later at 92.