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!

BALDWIN ACADEMY RECOGNITIONS

Baldwin Academy Principal Jan Castle and her staff recently hosted the school's annual Academic Achievement Celebration which recognizes students' individual achievements on last year's STAR CST Tests.

Students received medals and trophies from their teachers. They shook hands with Hacienda La Puente Unified School District Board Members Rudy Chavarria and Anita Perez, as well as Superintendent Dr. Barbara Nakaoka.

Last year's principal, Bonnie Wilson, was also in attendance.

The Workman High School cheerleaders started off the celebration with cheers for the Baldwin students.

There were four levels of recognition. All students who improve in any way receive "Rising Star" medals. Students at the proficient or advanced levels receive gold medals.

Students who score 500 out of a possible 600 on any section were also recognized - 25 students did so in math, while 17 earned this in Language Arts.

The highest level of recognition is for students who score a perfect 600 on any section.

Eight students scored 600 in Math, and one student scored 600 in Language Arts! These winners received large gold medals of achievement and a "600 Club" category.

Congratulations to all of the winners!

FAIRGROVE DANCE PROGRAM

Fairgrove Academy's dance program will host its Winter Advanced Dance Concert at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 5, and Saturday, Dec. 6.

The title, which is a play on words, is "The Nutcracker Sweet 2.8." This is a contemporary version of an old favorite, "The Nutcracker Suite."

This is a dessert concert, which is the reason for adjusting the original word to "Sweet."

The cost is $10, which includes a dessert of your choice and unlimited beverages. Tables will be set up in cabaret style instead of rows, which means only 150 seats are available for each show.

Fairgrove Academy is located at 15540 Fairgrove Ave. in La Puente.

For tickets or information, contact Director and Choreographer Michelle Jackson at (626) 933-8548.

Send your comments, questions, milestone anniversaries and birthdays, or any suggestions to A View From the Bridge, The Highlander, 1210 N. Azusa Canyon Road, West Covina, CA 91790, or contact Janet by e-mail at fetjetjd@aol.com