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Sarah Josepha Hale was far more than the author of the beloved nursery rhyme "Mary Had a Little Lamb." She was a prominent abolitionist and the editor of Godey’s Lady’s Book, a woman’s magazine that significantly shaped American domestic culture from 1830 to 1898. Hale used her platform to advocate for Thanksgiving, extolling its virtues as a time for family gathering, gratitude, and shared meals.
Her persistent campaign to promote Thanksgiving culminated in a nationwide celebration, but it was not without its challenges. While the holiday had its roots in local and regional events since before the United States existed, Hale sought to unify the nation during a time of burgeoning divisiveness, particularly around the issue of slavery.