America Quote by Linda Colley
“Thanksgiving is America's favourite holiday, and a brilliant piece of personal as well as patriotic calendrical invention.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Thanksgiving in American Culture, Linda Colley, 2010
Thanksgiving blends personal family traditions with national identity, creating a holiday that serves both private enjoyment and patriotic symbolism.
In simple terms: Thanksgiving mixes family fun with national pride.
Key Takeaway
Recognize both personal and civic aspects of holidays.
Themes
tradition
patriotism
family
culture
Mood
reflective
nostalgic
Type
cultural
observational
When to use this quote
- family gatherings
- school curricula
- media commentary
- political speeches
Key Concepts
national identity
ritual
social cohesion
Questions to Reflect On
- How does Thanksgiving shape your sense of national identity?
- What personal traditions do you add to the holiday?
A Different Perspective
May overlook the commercial and exclusionary histories of the holiday.
![“They [in the northern country] had, as well, invented a holiday called Thanksgiving, which Ruby had only recently got news of, but from what she gathered its features to be, she found it to contain the mark of a tainted culture. To be thankful on just the one day.” quote by Charles Frazier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3bb/charles-frazier-3165_holiday_they-in-the-northern-country-had-as-well_14504.jpg)
![“I'll smoke, I'll cough, I'll get the tumors, I'll die, deal? Thank you America. [salutes]” quote by Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3d2/bill-hicks-970_america_i-ll-smoke-i-ll-cough-i-ll-get-the-tumor_655.jpg)
