On September 28, 1789, just before leaving for recess, the first Federal Congress passed a resolution asking that the President of the United States recommend to the nation a day of thanksgiving. A few days later, President George Washington issued a proclamation naming Thursday, November 26, 1789 as a "Day of Publick Thanksgivin" - the first time Thanksgiving was celebrated under the new Constitution. Subsequent presidents issued Thanksgiving Proclamations, but the dates and even months of the celebrations varied. It wasn't until President Abraham Lincoln's 1863 Proclamation that Thanksgiving was regularly commemorated each year on the last Thursday of November.

In 1939, however, the last Thursday in November fell on the last day of the month. Concerned that the shortened Christmas shopping season might dampen the economic recovery, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued a Presidential Proclamation moving Thanksgiving to the second to last Thursday of November. As a result of the proclamation, 32 states issued similar proclamations while 16 states refused to accept the change and proclaimed Thanksgiving to be the last Thursday in November. For two years two days were celebrated as Thanksgiving - the President and part of the nation celebrated it on the second to last Thursday in November, while the rest of the country celebrated it the following week.

To end the confusion, Congress decided to set a fixed-date for the holiday. On October 6, 1941, the House passed a joint resolution declaring the last Thursday in November to be the legal Thanksgiving Day. The Senate, however, amended the resolution establishing the holiday as the fourth Thursday, which would take into account those years when November has five Thursdays. The House agreed to the amendment, and President Roosevelt signed the resolution on December 26, 1941, thus establishing the fourth Thursday in November as the Federal Thanksgiving Day holiday.

Source: https://www.archives.gov/legislative/features/thanksgiving

For a few minutes, jot down your best or worst memory of Black Friday or what you've heard about it in the news. Did you stand in line to get a great deal, or have you heard people going crazy to get the "door buster" deal? 

When performing a Marxist critique, you might wish to answer any of the following questions:

• Who has money or power? Who doesn't and why?

• Look for conflicts between the wealthy (whether individuals, companies, or countries) and the working class. Who benefits from their relationship and who suffers?

• Consider the work that is being done and if the efforts and labor is recognized. Are workers being exploited (taken advantage of) for profit or is their labor valued and see?

• Does the pursuit of money or success lead to problems or ethical issues?

• How is the worker seen in their work? Are they alienated, or made to feel distant from their efforts? Remember, you can be alienated in four ways: from the product, the process, our coworkers, and ourselves. 

Topic sentence starters:

• Basic formula: In (text), (author) illustrates (something about modern worker or work) by (author's choice). 

  • Example #1: In "Poseidon," Franz Kafka illustrates how we become consumed by our work by having Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea, trapped in office paperwork.

  • Example #2: In "Black Friday, Through the Eyes of Smith and Marx," Chad Broughton highlights how we often overlook the labor of Mexican and Chinese workers who make our holidays possible. 

Step-by-Step Guide for Building a Strong Paragraph

Topic sentence as your first sentence (use the technique above).

Context for Evidence #1:
After your topic sentence, set up your first piece of evidence by giving context. Explain what’s happening in the text so your reader understands where the evidence fits and what’s being said.

Evidence #1:
Introduce the quote properly using signal verbs, colons, or embedding the quote into your sentence. Always include a parenthetical citation!

Three examples of introducing a quote (all using a fake quote): 

1. 1. 1. In his article, Chad Broughton argues that workers are often invisible to consumers, as he states, “The labor of Mexican and Chinese workers sustains the demand for cheap holiday goods, yet their efforts remain unacknowledged” (Broughton 45). 

      2. Broughton emphasizes the overlooked contributions of workers when he explains that “the labor of Mexican and Chinese workers sustains the demand for cheap holiday goods” (45). 

      3. Broughton highlights the disconnect between consumers and laborers: “The labor of Mexican and Chinese workers sustains the demand for cheap holiday goods, yet their efforts remain unacknowledged” (45). 

Explanation of Evidence #1:
Right after the quote, explain what it means in 1-3 sentences. This helps your reader follow your thinking, especially if the text is complex (e.g., poetry or theory).

Connect to your argument (topic sentence):
Show how the evidence supports your topic sentence. Explain why it matters and how it proves your original point. This should take 1-3 sentences.

Transition to Evidence #2:
Link your first example to the next by showing a pattern, parallel, or outcome. Transitions should explain how the two pieces of evidence connect in some way.

Context for Evidence #2:
Just like before, give context for your second piece of evidence. Briefly explain what’s happening in the text to set up the quote.

Evidence #2:
Introduce and cite the quote using proper techniques (signal verbs, colons, or embedding). See the previous examples above if you forget.

Explanation of Evidence #2:
Explain the second quote in 1-3 sentences, making sure your reader understands your argument.

Link the Evidence:
Instead of repeating yourself, show how the two pieces of evidence work together. Highlight similarities, differences, or comment on the significance of a pattern.

Author’s Commentary and Concluding Statement:
Wrap up the paragraph by tying it back to the author’s purpose or commentary on life, humanity, or society. End with a strong statement that reinforces the significance of your argument.