History of Thanksgiving

Many of us know Thanksgiving as a day to spend time with family, eat turkey, and watch football.  However, Thanksgiving has a rich history that began when the Mayflower left England in September of 1620.  A group of 102 religious separatists from England left their homes, with hopes of finding religious freedom in the new world.  The Pilgrims landed in modern-day Massachusetts, which was very far off from their intended destination of Jamestown.  During their first winter in America, the Pilgrims suffered from disease and starvation.  Less than half of the original Pilgrims survived this harsh winter.

After that difficult winter, the remaining colonists needed to find a way to survive and grow food.  In March of 1621, Squanto, a Patuxent Native American, greeted the Pilgrims.  Squanto knew how to speak English because in 1614 he was kidnapped by an English explorer and brought to Spain as a slave.  He managed to escape, and returned home in 1619.  Squanto taught the Pilgrims how to catch fish (including eels and lobsters), he taught them how to grow corn, as well as how to fertilize the soil and work the land.  Additionally, Massasoit, the Wampanoag chief, signed an agreement with the colonists and helped to provide them with food for a few years.

In November of 1621, the Pilgrims had a successful harvest.  Their governor William Bradford organized a feast to celebrate.  Some members of the Wampanoag tribe and Squanto joined the Pilgrims for what became known as the first Thanksgiving.  The feast lasted for three days.  Although the original menu was never documented, there is evidence that the colonists and Native Americans ate venison, goose, fish, turkey, and corn.

Many years later, President Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday.  In 1863, during a difficult time in the civil war, Lincoln proclaimed that the last Thursday of every November would be celebrated as a day of Thanksgiving. The president urged Americans to be thankful and to “praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens.”

So, this Thanksgiving, remember the struggles that the early Americans faced.  Be thankful for everything that we have, and all of the opportunities that lay ahead.  Happy Thanksgiving, Biotech!

Written by Rachel Weinstein

Photo from: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6e/The_First_Thanksgiving_cph.3g04961.jpg

How To: Black Friday

In a matter of just a few days, Thanksgiving will be upon us. That means lots of extra helpings of mashed potatoes and turkey and cranberry sauce. For some, it also means Black Friday Eve. Black Friday is a huge event where lots of stores open up early and have a ton of huge sales. Some people go crazy over this and wake up really early in the morning and just spend the entire day shopping at the mall.

Black Friday has earned the reputation of being a nightmare. There are huge lines and tons of people and chaos everywhere. Yet there are ways to avoid this and have a successful day. With just a few tips, you can have a great experience shopping on Black Friday and actually accomplish a lot of holiday shopping.

#1 Plan Ahead

Make sure that you have an explicit list of items that you would like to buy. Know in advance what size clothing you need and how much you expect it to cost. There are many apps that you can use to keep track of your shopping list, as well as apps to keep track of any coupons you may have. The night before, make sure to set your alarm and have your clothing and bags laid out.

#2 The Early Bird Catches the Worm

Go to the mall (or wherever it is that you are going shopping) at least a half an hour before stores open. This ensures that you will get a parking spot and have plenty of time to shop. 

#3 No Small Children or Strollers

Black Friday is going to be hectic, whether or not you are fully prepared for it. There will be long, tight lines and people everywhere. Bringing strollers and little kids into the mix will not end up well. So leave them at home with a baby sitter. 

#4 Be Polite

There is absolutely no need to fight someone for a cute pair of shoes or a shiny new toy. The store will be re-stocked soon enough and you can come back and get it later, even if it isn’t for the same great price. Also, being nice to the workers is really helpful because they have spent a lot of time preparing for this day and trying to keep everyone and everything in order. Just overall, be a nice person. 

#5 Keep Calm and Carry On

The last, most important tip is to stay calm. Black Friday is a crazy day and at times, you will feel very stressed. The key is to keep your cool. Under no circumstances should you ever be fighting with other customers or the workers. Stay in your line, follow the rules, and you should be fine. Remember that this is just one day out of the year where they have huge sales. There will be more sale days and more time for you to shop for gifts for the holidays. 

Have a happy, and safe, Black Friday!

Written by Erin Hampton

Image from: http://www.airpadrekiteboarding.com/site_images/news/black-friday-sale.jpg

Thanksgiving and the New Season

On November 22, 2012, families gathered all over the country to celebrate Thanksgiving, a day of feasting and giving thanks. Lots of delicious food was served, including the traditional turkey, stuffing, potatoes, cranberry sauce, gravy, pumpkin pie, and vegetables.

As much as everyone enjoys and appreciates the food, it is also important to remember the main aspect of Thanksgiving. We must be thankful for everything we have: our family, friends, and our homes. It’s worthwhile to take a moment to appreciate what you have instead of dwelling on what you don’t.

After Thanksgiving, excitement begins as the holiday season arrives! The day after Thanksgiving, Black Friday, kicks off with frenetic buying sprees! Stores work overtime to keep up with the large demand on holiday gifts. This year, Hello Kitty seems to have become a fan favorite- baby clothes, jewelry, purses, glasses, clocks, socks and even toasters -the cute cartoon is appearing EVERYWHERE! Other popular teen holiday gifts include the Kindle Fire HD; Xbox 360, Halo 4, and Dance Central 2; DVD’s, like The Avengers, The Hunger Games, Avatar, and Harry Potter; Ugg Boots; and some popular books, such as Hidden – House of Night, Everyday, and The Fault in Our Stars. There is truly something for everybody!

Families around the country are now showcasing their Christmas lights and Hanukkah menorahs. The excitement in the air is tangible in both children and adults as people of all ages start the countdown to their favorite holidays. Looking ahead, New Years will soon be approaching; don’t forget your party hats! And

make sure to remember to watch the ball drop in NYC at midnight!

By: Jenna Weingarten