Source
State Archives of Florida, Series S368
Description
A poem sent to Governor Fred P. Cone criticizing changing the date of Thanksgiving.
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.
Pouf On tradition:
I,Your master,Sir,am on my way,
Pfft to "Abe and Washington,
Pfft to THEIR Thanksgiving Day,
I'll prove I'm greater than either one.
A third term,I'll also seek,
And,when I'm IN,without a doubt
No one will DARE to make a squeak,
There'll be NO way to get me out.
Another task must come,Whate'er betide,
change christmas to MY day of birth.
I,ll laugh at "Hit" and "Musso" with grweat mirin
For God,Himself,has moved aside.
Listen: The Blues Program
