Thanksgiving Day is a legal public holiday in the United States.

President George Washington proclaimed Nov. 26, 1789, as a day of public thanksgiving and prayer in recognition of having "peaceably established a government for our safety and happiness."

In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln formalized the day to always be observed on the last Thursday in November. In 1939, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt issued a Presidential Proclamation that moved Thanksgiving Day to the fourth Thursday in November.

FUN THANKSGIVING FACTS

In 1621, the Plymouth, Mass., colonists and the Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn harvest meal. This is widely acknowledged as our First Thanksgiving. The yearly celebration came to symbolize the cooperation and interaction between the English colonists and Native Americans. Harvest festivals have existed for centuries for most Native Americans.

This first Thanksgiving meal differed greatly from ours, of course. Meals at that time were very heavy on meat, with few vegetables and fruits available. The Indians probably contributed dried corn, hams and fish. The colonists most likely hunted for venison, deer and wild fowl. They did not use forks, but ate with spoons, knives and their hands. The best food was placed next to the most important people at the table.

This year, AAA estimates that nearly 40 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more to celebrate with family and friends. In 2007, 46 million turkeys were consumed, at an average weight of 15 pounds. The largest pumpkin pie ever baked weighed 2,020 pounds!

For our sports fans, the first National Football league game on Thanksgiving Day took place in 1934, when the Detroit Lions hosted the Chicago Bears . Since that time, the Lions have played a game every Thanksgiving Day except during World War II.

Have a wonderful day!

COUNTY FAIR AWARDS

Congratulations to seven students from Chaparral Middle School, who were named winners in the 2008 Los Angeles County Fair's Education Expo in September.

Seventh-grade language arts teacher Christy Passoth encouraged her students to enter their poetry
The notebooks included at least 10 poems of different styles, including acrostic, simile, personification and more.

Seven students won first place Blue Ribbons! They competed with students from schools in Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties.

The young poets are now in eighth-grade. Congratulations to Sarah Demonteverde, Helen Park, Joycelyn Chen, Jennifer Lim, Deeded Chao, Luke Lau and Angie Shu.

The top award winner was Jennifer Lim. In addition to the Blue Ribbon, she earned Best of Class, Best of Division, and Best of Show.

Three writers Helen Park, Jocycelyn Chen and Jennifer Lim also won the Thummer Award, a purple rosette that is a judge's award for excellence.

REPUBLICAN WOMEN HOST HUFF

The Diamond Bar Republican Women Federated members invite the community to their next meeting, which will take place at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 4, at the Diamond Bar Golf Course, 22751 E. Golden Springs Drive in Diamond Bar. The featured speaker is Diamond Bar's own State Senator-elect Bob Huff.

Huff's achievements earned him 100-percent legislative vote rankings from the California Taxpayers Association, the California Chamber of Commerce and the California Manufacturers and Technology Association.

Prior to this election and his election to the Assembly, Huff served on the Diamond Bar City Council from 1995-2004, including service as mayor in 1997 and 2001.

The meeting will include beautiful chamber music provided by the Diamond Bar High School Orchestra.

Cost for dinner is $25, which includes wine. For reservations, call Vice President Trisha Bowler at (909) 861-2922 or email BrahmaMama1@aol.com

Send your comments, questions, milestone anniversaries and birthdays, or any suggestions to Drop In On Diamond Bar, The Highlander, 1210 N. Azusa Canyon Road, West Covina, CA 91790, or contact Janet by e-mail at fetjetjd@aol.com