Inventing American Tradition

The book Inventing American Tradition explores the origins and controversies of American traditions, such as Thanksgiving, the national anthem, and Superman, and reveals that all traditions are invented by particular people for particular reasons.

Format: Hardback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 13 August 2018
Publisher: Reaktion Books

The origins of Thanksgiving in the United States are a complex and often controversial topic. While the holiday is celebrated as a time of gratitude and togetherness, its historical roots are intertwined with the trauma of the Civil War and concerns about American identity.

The first Thanksgiving is believed to have taken place in 1621, when a group of Pilgrims, including Governor William Bradford and his family, arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts, after their arduous journey aboard the Mayflower. The Pilgrims had left England in search of religious freedom and a better life, but they faced many challenges during their voyage, including illness, hunger, and conflict with Native Americans.

Despite these hardships, the Pilgrims and the Native Americans were able to establish a peaceful relationship, which is often celebrated as a symbol of unity and cooperation. The first Thanksgiving was a three-day feast that included turkey, deer, and other local foods, and it was attended by around 90 Pilgrims and 50 Native Americans.

However, the celebration of Thanksgiving did not become a national holiday until 1863, during the Civil War. President Abraham Lincoln declared the day a national holiday to unite the country and to give thanks for the Union's victory in the war.

Over time, Thanksgiving has evolved into a more secular holiday, with many Americans celebrating it with family and friends, and with a focus on gratitude and appreciation for the things in their lives. However, the holiday's historical roots remain a source of debate and controversy, with some arguing that it is a celebration of colonialism and exploitation, and others defending it as a symbol of unity and diversity.

In addition to Thanksgiving, the United States has a number of other traditions that are deeply ingrained in American culture. These include political symbols such as the American flag and the Pledge of Allegiance, holidays such as Christmas and Easter, lifestyles such as the American Dream and the pursuit of happiness, and fictional characters such as Superman and Mickey Mouse.

Each of these traditions has its own unique history and significance, and they have been shaped by a wide range of people and events throughout American history. For example, the American flag was designed by Francis Hopkinson, a Philadelphia lawyer, in 1777, and it was adopted as the national flag in 1795. The Pledge of Allegiance was written by Francis Bellamy, a Christian minister, in 1892, and it was adopted as the national pledge in 1942.

Superman, one of the most iconic fictional characters in American history, was created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster in 1933. The character was inspired by a number of different sources, including the Bible, Greek mythology, and American folklore, and he has become a symbol of strength, courage, and justice.

Inventing American Tradition, a book by historian Jennifer Rosenberg, explores the history and significance of a wide range of American traditions, including political symbols, holidays, lifestyles, and fictional characters. Rosenberg argues that all traditions are invented by particular people at particular times for particular reasons, and that the process of "traditioning" is forever ongoing.

One of the key themes of the book is the ways in which American traditions have been shaped by the trauma of the Civil War and by concerns about American identity. For example, the holiday of Thanksgiving was originally a celebration of the Pilgrims' successful settlement in the New World, but it has since been transformed into a more secular celebration of gratitude and appreciation.

Similarly, the American flag has become a symbol of national pride and unity, but it has also been used as a political symbol by different groups and individuals throughout American history. The Pledge of Allegiance, which was originally written to promote patriotism and loyalty to the United States, has been used as a tool to promote religious and political beliefs.

Inventing American Tradition also explores the ways in which American culture has influenced people around the world. For example, the American Dream, which is the belief that anyone can achieve success and prosperity through hard work and determination, has become a global phenomenon, inspiring people from all over the world to pursue their dreams.

Similarly, fictional characters such as Superman and Mickey Mouse have become cultural icons, representing different values and beliefs to people from different cultures.

In conclusion, the origins of Thanksgiving in the United States are a complex and often controversial topic. While the holiday is celebrated as a time of gratitude and togetherness, its historical roots are intertwined with the trauma of the Civil War and concerns about American identity. Every tradition, even the noblest and most cherished, has a history, nowhere more so than in the USA, which was born with a relative indifference, if not hostility, to the past.

Most Americans would be surprised to learn just how recent - and controversial - the origins of their traditions are, as well as how those origins are often related to the trauma of the Civil War and to fears for American identity stemming from immigration and socialism. Inventing American Tradition explores a wide range of beloved traditions, including political symbols, holidays, lifestyles, and fictional characters, and looks at the people who conceived of and adapted them into the forms familiar to Americans - and the innumerable people around the world influenced by American culture - today.

What emerges is the realization that all traditions are invented by particular people at particular times for particular reasons, and that the process of "traditioning" is forever ongoing.

Weight: 680g
Dimension: 235 x 157 x 32 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781780239866