Thanksgiving 2020 - History, Meaning, Quotes, Message, Food

Back in 1939, Franklin D. Roosevelt changed Thanksgiving to the third Thursday of November. So thanksgiving was the third Thursday at that time in 1939.

And then in 1941, the congress decided to declare an actual holiday and, you know, made it to be the fourth Thursday no matter what. It had to be the fourth Thursday. 

So this year, the fourth birthday is the twenty-eighth. Now, a lot of you guys are like, well, what is that?

Well, honestly, if you look at the whole entire calendar year, this year, days have been horrible and not even that the winter solstice, you know, the just the seasons have been on different dates. 

And so this is just a reflection of the change in the time and the change of the cycles of like, you know, the weather cycle, the climate cycles, the seasons and all that, you know, geography, geographical, you know, climate and weather and astrology stuff. Yeah, this is well, this is a side effect of that.

You would even notice that sometimes your birthday is on the same exact day of the month in France. And I was born on Monday, but I have a birthday sometimes on a Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. 

Sometimes you may have, you know, two years where your birthday is on the same day, depending on the date of your birthday. But usually, your birthday does change throughout the weekdays. 

So it's just basically the same exact thing that we were seeing here with the reflection of the holiday of thanksgiving being on the very last Thursday of the month, which is the fourth on Thursday of the month. 

And last year there were five birthdays in the month, which is why it was on the 22nd of the twenty before Thursday. 

Peace, love and tranquillity. And I see you guys later. Happy Friday.

There are a few characters in this world more iconic than Pikachu from Pokemon. Ever since the franchise began, Pikachu has been on top of the world from plushest to clothing to ice cream. You simply can't escape this guy. But what's the true way to tell if your character is iconic, whether or not they make an appearance in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Thanksgiving, a time for friends, family, and reminiscing on the time you saw Chicken Little as a celebratory Thanksgiving Day balloon. The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is an American tradition dating all the way back to 1924. And one of the main selling points of the parade is that most of its balloons are made up of famous or recognizable characters.

These balloons are drawn millions upon millions of viewers every year, and they're really impressive. In the past, I took a look at the history of Sonic the Hedgehog appearances in the parade. While Sonic has been included numerous times, he has nothing on some of the other characters that have become true parade staples.

This year, we'll be taking a look at one of the most often reoccurring faces in the period history. Did you know that Pikachu has appeared in the parade every year for nearly two decades, ever since he was first introduced into the lineup in 2001? He's been in the parade.

Now, that's a testament to Pokemon's popularity. You don't see Jimmy Neutron appearing in the parade for 20 years. With that said, the Pikachu balloon you see today is not the same picture you saw in 2001. He's gone through many changes over those years and several balloons.

And that's what I'll be going over today. In this article, we'll be taking a look at the history of Peka, choose many appearances in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Let's begin.

Pikachu made his first appearance in the parade all the way back in 2001, which coincidentally was the fifth year anniversary of Pokemon and the 75th annual Macy's parade. However, this wasn't Pokemon's first appearance in the parade a year earlier in the 2000 parade, a Pokemon themed Volkswagen Beetle dubbed the Popemobile was present in the parade. This car would be reused and join the parade alongside the balloon in later years. 

Looks like Macy's parade is ready in the universe of video games and kid shows Pokémon rules. This year's parade makes the big catch as Pikachu, the adorable flagship character of the more than 250 character Pokémon universe, becomes a first-time big balloon.

And Matt, furnished by the Pokemon company. What a shock to get used to the loyal companion and best friend of Pokemon trainer Ash through four TV seasons and three movies, Pikachu is always there to lend a helping hand when things get tough.

An interesting fact about this guy is that he's one of the shortest balloons in the parade's history. At only 30 feet tall, 54 handlers carried Pikachu throughout New York City and unlike Sonic, Pikachu, made it through his first year of the parade without any incidents.

The balloon is certainly a memorable design, if not a little uncharacteristic. I think it would have been a great touch for this balloon to have actual balloons attached to Pikachu, as it would have been, just like in the opening of Pokemon Yellow, although, yeah, this would have been unnecessary and would have made the balloon way more expensive.

It was designed to focus exclusively on Pikachu and it does that very well. While he already appeared as a balloon, Pikachu also appeared as a walk around mascot costume on the 75th parade superstar's float. This balloon would be featured in every parade until 2005 when it was retired of Team Rocket.

Those bumbling bad guys show up to cause trouble. Pikachu emits a high voltage thunder shot to send the pranksters flying here in New York. We call that a stun gun. That was going to say, I wish I could do that.

After being retired, the balloon wasn't immediately disposed of. Instead of flying, Pikachu would later be used as a test subject for the 2006 parade. This test flight occurred due to accidents that happened the year prior. However, he wouldn't appear in the actual parade that year.

On August 8th, 2006, a Pokemon 10th-anniversary party was held at Bryant Park in New York City. Dubbed the Party of the Decade Flying, Pikachu was on display at the event flying. Pikachu made one last appearance at the now-defunct exhibit Balloon Toplice at Universal Orlando Resort, where he was on display alongside characters such as Scooby-Doo and Garfield. This exhibit was made to give audiences an inside look at the production of Macy's parades. After the exhibit closed, flying Pikachu never publicly flew again.

It's unknown whether or not the balloon still exists, but even if he's no longer with us with an appearance like that, he's certainly unforgettable.

The morning of flying, Pikachu was short-lived, as, in the 2006 parade, a brand new Pikachu balloon was introduced to take his place when a character appears multiple times in the parade. It's not uncommon for them to get redesigned like this. This one, dubbed the Pikachu with a packable balloon, is a much more fitting design for the character and the Pokemon brand as a whole.

It depicts a Pikachu balloon chasing after a separate packable balloon. This new balloon was made not only to celebrate Pokemon its 10th anniversary but also due to its use changing appearance. The flying Pikachu was obviously inspired by the original appearance of Pikachu. But over the years, his luck would be refined. This new balloon reflected the current appearance of the character much better. Also, the packable balloon alone was 14 feet tall, so this was a pretty sizable balloon.

You fly through the air just behind a ball. Most Pokémon live inside one, but he prefers life on the outside, where he can lend a helping hand to his loyal companion. When the going gets tough, you know only one football on TV today. Peekapoos choose electrifying cruising the skies at twice the height of a Tyrannosaurus rex.

Along with its size, the balloon had a light-up feature, the second of its kind in the parade's history, giving Pikachu flushing cheeks. Obviously, Pikachu being in the parade is to promote the Pokemon franchise. And this was clearly shown in 2010 when the balloon was paired with floats that carried huge detailed statues of Graham Russia to promote Pokemon Black and White.

This year also marks Kikuchi's 10th annual appearance in the parade. This balloon was used by the parade from 2006 to 2013. Pikachu chased that Pokemon for seven Parade St. Unfortunately, unlike flying Pikachu, this balloon didn't have quite as perfect of a record. In 2012, for example, Pikachu ears were noticeably deflated and in 2013 the packable was fairly deflated as well.

These were likely nothing more than basic inflating errors as the balloons didn't fall down or anything. So thankfully, no horrible Pikachu accidents occurred while the balloon has been used and shown off at other events besides the parade. He was retired from the period after 2013, being replaced once again.

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day parades are obviously often associated with the holiday season because of this, some balloons are designed with a holiday or Christmas theme in mind. One example is the second balloon of Greg Heffley from The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series.

His first balloon design was of his standard luck. But in 2016, he was redesigned to not only match the updated style of the books but also to feature Greg in stylish winter gear. In 2014, a brand new holiday-themed Pikachu balloon was introduced. This one may not have the flashing cheeks of his packable brother, but he does have a cute little snowman Pikachu and a green scarf. 

The most famous Pokemon character of all time. Ripshin has an all-new balloon ready for winter. Pikachu wears a red and green scarf and clutches its own snowman Pikachu years prior.

In 2008, the Pokemon Center released a holiday Pikachu plush with a very similar design to the snowman balloon. It seems this look was repurposed years later for this very jolly-looking Pikachu introduction to the world in 1996.

Pokemon has become one of the most successful entertainment brands ever this holiday season. Pokemon with the light players around the world, with the launch of Pokemon Omega Ruby and Pokemon Alpha Sapphire Video Games.

I guess this one is pretty evergreen. It should go without saying, but the Macy's parades are huge events with tons of promotion and merchandise backing them up, given his frequent appearances, Pikachu is seen on many of these. For example, the promotional artwork for the 2014 parade showcases that year's Pikachu balloon. 

The absolute best promotional items released for the parades, though, are these annual musical snow globes that feature some of the year's hottest balloon characters. For example, Sonic is in the 2012 globe and Goku is in the 2019 globe.

Let me just say Pikachu was featured on some pretty stacked snow globes. The 2002 one had him flying alongside Jimmy Neutron and 2007 had Shrek. There's official merchandise that has Pikachu on it that also has Shrek flying. Pikachu is found in 2002 one and the redesigned 2006 balloon is in 2007 one. Even Pikachu spoke about sculpted here.

Unfortunately, the 2014 balloon has yet to be featured on any snow globe. The fact that Pikachu has been featured in two of these just goes to show how popular of a character he is. Every year, the parade showcases dozens of iconic characters, but only a select few get to be in these globes, let alone two of them. These have incredible detailing for something so small.

They're wonderful time capsules for the parades and make for great collectibles. Well, we all know about these parades, have you ever wondered about the actual production of these balloons? I mean, these things are huge and are usually really well designed.

How do they all come together?

Thankfully, Macy's has actually shared plenty of info regarding that and they've shared photos of their facilities and plenty of incentive for those interested in this. To simplify it, the balloons start as a simple sketch. And once the sketch is approved, a model was produced based on it.

This model is often a physical figure that his hand-sculpted and painted so the designers can see how the balloon looks at all angles, making sure everything checks out. These models are then referenced by the balloon pattern designers and then the funnel balloon is produced. When I first learned about these physical models, though, they really captured my interest.

Thankfully, plenty of photos of these models have been released publicly. Here's a look at the model flying Pikachu. Imagine seeing this in person, a model that would later become such a memorable addition to the parade. That's pretty incredible. Here's the one for the Pikachu with a packable balloon. And here's the holiday Pikachu balloon.

Unfortunately, these models have never been mass-produced for sale and are solely internal items made for the balloon designer's reference. Wouldn't it be amazing if they made a lot of figures based off of these? They could reproduce models for some of the most iconic balloons from over the years, maybe for the 100th anniversary or something?

If novelty ice cream bar with Gumby figures can be a thing, surely parade balloon figures have an audience to. And there you have it to look at pictures history in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. I think it's pretty clear that Pikachu is one of the parade's most prolific characters at this point.

I mean, nearly 20 consecutive years in the parade. That's pretty impressive. Not that it's a surprise given Pokemon's popularity, but still, do any of you have many fond memories of seeing Pikachu in the parades over the years? I know I do. I think the most fascinating thing about these balloons is that they represent how much Pikachu and Pokemon have changed over the years.

On the surface level, the flying Pikachu is clearly based off of Kikuchi's original chubbier design. But besides that stuff like the holiday Pikachu balloon remind me of how commercial Pikachu is nowadays with endless merchandise, dressing him up in different outfits and whatnot.

These balloons are a really great look at the evolution of the character and Pokemon in general. Two decades, three balloons, and countless memories made. I have no doubt in my mind that we will, but I hope to see Pikachu in the parade for many years to come.

The first Thanksgiving American schools generally teach a traditional story about the meeting of pilgrims and Indians that finished with a tremendous dinner end. But there's more to the story.

At the beginning of the 17th century. Southern geographical area was home to a spread of busy communities within several confederations. These were the people of the primary light and that they called their home the dawn land. Political leaders were referred to as such hymns and had been trading with Europeans for over 100 years before the Pilgrims.

Relations soured only after deceitful Europeans kidnap locals to sell us, slaves, permanent European settlement was impossible thanks to the already high population of native occupants. But in 16 sixteen tradesmen introduced a disease to the dawn land whose inhabitants died in droves from an absence of immunity.

In three years up to 90 percent were tired in several confederations including the Wampanoag their head such a muscle so it had been tuned in to how close they were to being subjugated by their unaffiliated enemy. Not on Gaza. He was firm to avoid wasting his people from such a fate. This was the political world the pilgrims were on the point of entry.

The Pilgrims weren't called pilgrims by their contemporaries. They were called separatists a branch of the English Puritans. King James hated Puritans and commenced persecuting them in 16 0 4 that the separatists fled to Holland where they absolved to worship but because they feared losing their national and community identity the congregation wanted a replacement place to plant their church.

They selected America and asked King James for a pattern that may grant them the right to make a colony. They conceive to make a profit catching fish to pay off the debts to their investors. The Mayflower set sail on September 6th. Two months later Cape Cod was spotted and 16 men were sent to shore to examine the realm.

Unfortunately, the settlers didn't know the way to fish and food was running out. They resorted to stealing from Graves's homes and storage pits to stay everyone alive. Then came their first hostile encounter with media but nobody was killed. On December 12th they reached New Plymouth. They didn't land on any specific rock but folklore insists they did.

Construction began in January by winter's end. Forty-four settlers would be dead from bad conditions in March. They were surprised when a person named Somerset walked into New Plymouth greeting them in English. He told them they were building on top of a village called Patuxent whose residents had all died from the recent epidemic. It belonged to the Wampanoag and their chief muscle so it had been watching the settlers were wanting to trade.

So five days later Somerset returned with furs and companions including two Squanto known famously as Squanto. He had come to inform them in perfect English that has got to decide had arrived after years of managing Englishmen. The satchel failed to trust the newcomers.

My sister walked into New Plymouth and was regally greeted by the governor. A pacification was created ensuring mutual protection if attacked by enemies With the assistance of Squanto. New Plymouth settlers began to fare better. He taught them the way to grow crops and was absolutely vital as an interpreter to the separatists.

He was a present from God but after all, Squanto had been kidnapped took set in sixteen fourteen, and shipped to Spain to be sold into slavery. He ended up in London at the house of a merchant who taught him English and arranged for Squanto was returned to the dawn land in 16 19. But Patrick said was now gone wiped away by the epidemic.

Moussa Saw it took him in with suspicion thanks to his years abroad but needed a translator to parlay with the newcomers. He eventually sent his worry or hope on the way to live among the settlers and keep a watch on Squanto. By far the settlers had a bountiful harvest and a feast was held to celebrate mass so it showed up with 90 warriors and five deer for the meal for 3 days.

land and Wampanoag eight and entertained each other. This was the famous first Thanksgiving children to be told about in class. However the word Thanksgiving wouldn't are utilized by these settlers to denote a harvest feast for Puritans. A day of Thanksgiving was each day of fasting while giving because of God in prayer. But the story of pilgrims and Indians doesn't end here.

During New Plymouth this first year Squanto had been up to something. Realizing the substantial power because the only English speaker of his people he conceived the decide to overthrow must soil. He persuaded locals he could command a people to form war or peace at his will. Hobo Monk was suspicious of Squanto and warned Governor Bradford in time. they found Squanto his plot so foreign muscle saw it who was furious. 

Bradford refused the interpreter was too valuable to allow up but in keeping with the treaty Squanto his life belonged within the hands of his suction. Bradford finally conceded he was on the point of reach Squanto when an unidentified ship appeared the alarm it calls delayed Bradford and worried must sort envoys angered and impatient.

They left the ship carrying 60 Englishmen going to build a colony near Boston. They abuse the Massachusetts locals initiating a conspiracy to kill the colonists warned about the plot. New Plymouth leaders launched a coup de main to avoid wasting their impudent countrymen. It brought peace for a time.

In that time more Puritan settlers arrived soon outnumbering the native and while the Pilgrims treaty with muscle saw it lasted until the statue's death. Other Puritans weren't concerned with such alliances. Their fanatic religious principles ensured no peace between the 2 cultures could last two Puritans.

Native Americans were the opposite wild savage godless with such an ideology. the end result was inevitable if they didn't convert to Christianity and surrender their cultural identity. that they had to be eliminated. the primary Thanksgiving was a short moment of harmony between the 2 worlds.

But sadly it absolutely was short-lived. The capitalist opportunities the dawn land presented combined with zealous puritanical beliefs were incentive enough to remove the native inhabitants. there's nothing wrong with sharing a feast of thanks with loved ones. But remember truth events that started the vacation and not the fairy tale.