Source
State Archives of Florida, Series S368
Description
M.C. Small, managing editor of Turkey World magazine, requests that the governor reply with information about when Thanksgiving will be held in Florida and the governor's opinion about the future observance of the holiday.
General Note
In 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued a proclamation moving the Thanksgiving holiday from the last Thursday of November to the second to last Thursday of the month to extend the holiday shopping season. The holiday was changed from November 30, the last day of the month, to November 23. Thirty-two states issued similar proclamations, but 16 states refused to make the change. Florida Governor Fred P. Cone decided not to move the date forward and left the holiday on its traditional day. The governor's decision received both praise and opposition, with many wanting to keep with tradition, while others criticized the governor for creating confusion throughout the state. Many Florida organizations chose one date to celebrate the holiday, while others recognized both days as Thanksgiving. The dispute remained unresolved in 1940 and 1941. The issue was finally settled on December 26, 1941, when President Roosevelt signed a joint resolution declaring the fourth Thursday in November as the Federal Thanksgiving Day holiday.
TURKEY WORLD
A MONTHLY MAGAZINE FOR THE FIFTY MILLION DOLLAR TURKEY INDUSTRY
OWNED BY THE PUBLISHERS OF POULTRY TRIBUNE
MOUNT MORRIS, ILL.
September 14, 1939
Gov. Fred P. Cone
State House
Tallahassee, Fla.
Dear Governor Cone:
President Roosevelt's proclamation that Thanksgiving should be observed on November 23, instead of November 30, and the resulting controversy has created some confusion in the turkey industry.
Our subscribers are interested in knowing the date on which Thanksgiving will be observed in your state this year, and your opinion concerning the future observance of this holiday.
It would be appreciated greatly if you would supply the information indicated on the enclosed postal card and return the card within the next few days.
If you would care to express any personal opinions concerning the change and what should be done about observance of the holiday in the future, we would be glad to have your opinions.
Sincerely yours,
TURKEY WORLD
[Signature] M.C. Small
Managing Editor
MCSmall-lc
Enc.
Card returned: Sept. 16, 1939.
Xed out last paragraph. ACJ.
[Image of turkeys]
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