Join us on Wednesday, November 25 at 4:00 PM on Facebook Live for a virtual program hosted by the National Museum of Civil War Medicine. You can tune in live by visiting facebook.com/civilwarmed/live at the scheduled time.

In this pre-recorded video, Director of Interpretation Jake Wynn will discuss how Thanksgiving was celebrated during the Civil War. President Abraham Lincoln made Thanksgiving Day a national holiday in 1863, nationalizing a holiday that had been honored in many regions of the North in the decades before the Civil War. He will examine how the holiday was carried in the hospitals, what Civil War soldiers thought about the holiday, and how relief organizations and volunteers played a role in ensuring the day became special to wounded and sick soldiers in hospital.

Jake Wynn is the Director of Interpretation at the National Museum of Civil War Medicine. He also writes independently at the Wynning History blog.

Like these programs? Consider supporting our efforts by becoming a member or donating to the Museum! Your efforts ensure that we can continue sharing the story of Civil War medicine in this crucial time. In history, we can find hope amid our struggle against COVID-19.

Free Event!