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November is a month full of events that help us reflect on our past, stand up for our values and principles, and give thanks. It brings us Native American Heritage Month, Election Day, Veterans Day, and of course, Thanksgiving. We found some fun and interesting facts about these days we thought you’d enjoy:
Native American Heritage Month
The entire month of November is dedicated to Native American history and culture. The U.S. Department of the Interior’s Indian Affairs suggests celebrating it with events like:
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National Bison Day (Nov 4) — recognizing the significance of this animal as its populations are gradually recovering
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Rock Your Mocs Day (Nov 15) — sharing moccasin photos on social media
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Red Shawl Week (Nov 15-21) — wearing red to draw attention to the violence that American Indian and Alaska Native women and children have suffered
Election Day
Elections in the U.S. have had an interesting history. Here’s just a sampling:
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Early American politicians, including George Washington, bribed their voters with large quantities of alcohol. Learn more about this widespread practice in the Smithsonian Magazine.
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Voting rights didn’t follow a steady upward trajectory. Although elections in most states were initially open to only white, male property owners, in 1787 New Jersey allowed unmarried and widowed women to vote (if they owned property), and some states enfranchised free Black men. New Jersey later revoked voting rights for all women and Black people in 1807. Georgia removed the property requirement in 1789, but others maintained it until as late as 1856.
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The U.S. ranks 31st in voter participation among 49 surveyed countries (Pew Research Center).
Veterans Day
President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11, 1919, as the first Armistice Day. Reader’s Digest states that it was originally called this “because it marked the one-year anniversary of the temporary cessation of hostilities between the Allied nations and Germany during World War I. That armistice went into effect at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918.” It wasn’t until 1938 that the day became an official legal holiday. Then, in 1954, it was redefined as a day to observe and honor veterans of all wars. To get the full history of Veterans Day, visit the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.
Thanksgiving
As stated in Town & Country’s “14 Surprising Facts You Never Knew About Thanksgiving,” the first Thanksgiving was in 1621 and lasted three days. Other fun facts about this family holiday:
- Thanksgiving leftovers sparked the first TV dinners.
- The first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was in 1924 and featured animals from the Central Park Zoo. Who knew?!
To continue reflecting on the profound meaning of these November dates, check out our related tours below. As with every TravelStorys tour, you can enjoy these either on-site or remotely.
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