"There are countless horrible things happening all over the world and horrible people prospering, but we must never allow them to disturb our equanimity or deflect us from our sacred duty to sabotage and annoy them whenever possible." -Auberon Waugh
Sunday, November 19, 2023
Offline until Tuesday evening
It will be tough, I know, but you can get through it.
Bruce, just as an intellectual experiment, what date would you nominate as a Down Under equivalent for Thanksgiving?
Ours, of course, is built around the Pilgrims landing in what is now Massachusetts, specifically their survival of the second winter with the aid of local Indians (although for whatever reason Elizabeth Warren was not present... although no doubt Joe Biden was). I can't imagine the landings at Botany Bay being a popular choice.
I suppose, as a commemoration of nation building, Anzac Day is a close equivalent.
I've thought about all our holidays and can't think of one which has the spirit of Thanksgiving Stephen.
Because we were founded as a prison colony, except Melbourne but that city was led by blue-bloods from the UK who saw continuity with 'back home', not a cultural break like the Pilgrims.
Yes ANZAC Day commemorates a late realisation that we were different from the British - our diggers were taller and healthier than their fellow Brit soldiers. But it was never a family celebration. My grandfather served in France, but we never saw anything to celebrate (long story). Mostly it's a reunion of old mates. Renewed interest in the holiday only happened in recent decades.
We kept being drawn back to the UK, this was at its peak in the 1960s. You had a British invasion but young Australians invaded Swinging London as soon as they were old enough - it was a rite of passage. And then 100s of thousands of British migrated to Australia after WW2, as did Italians, Jewish immigrants, and 'Beautiful Balts': https://www.newsouthbooks.com.au/books/beautiful-balts/
The Anglican Church headed by the monarch is the de facto state religion. They may have a thanksgiving, but being raised Catholic I know nothing about it.
Very broadly you could say Australia Day (26 Jan) but that's really like 4th of July.
I wanted to say, an American Fulbright scholar here pointed out to me that she was very uncomfortable that we had 4 days of holiday for Easter. That would be the Anglican influence. Maybe she was Jewish - she said 'In the US, Jews have had just enough influence to keep any particular religion dominating' - that was her theory. But Easter's long weekend is our longest holiday, when many families do meet, then Christmas which is the closest to Thanksgiving as an annual family reunion.
Aussies' could celebrate on the same day we do. Our culture has been a major influencer for most of the world. This would be one of the best. Everyone has things to be thankful for.
Noooooooooooo!
ReplyDeleteNow I'm not going to know what to think or laugh at!
I'll probably start ending sentences on prepositions!
What, you've got Optus in your town too?
ReplyDeleteWhatever it is Paco, ,I hope it is painless.
ReplyDeleteWe don't have Thanksgiving over here. But apparently we do have Black Friday now.
ReplyDeleteYou'll be back in time for the turkey, I see! And a slice or three of pumpkin pie, of course.
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving, Pacoistas!
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving to you and yours, RebeccaH!
DeleteBruce, just as an intellectual experiment, what date would you nominate as a Down Under equivalent for Thanksgiving?
ReplyDeleteOurs, of course, is built around the Pilgrims landing in what is now Massachusetts, specifically their survival of the second winter with the aid of local Indians (although for whatever reason Elizabeth Warren was not present... although no doubt Joe Biden was). I can't imagine the landings at Botany Bay being a popular choice.
I suppose, as a commemoration of nation building, Anzac Day is a close equivalent.
Just my opinion. Anzac should be celebrated as is. Thanksgiving should always be a stand-alone.
DeleteI've thought about all our holidays and can't think of one which has the spirit of Thanksgiving Stephen.
ReplyDeleteBecause we were founded as a prison colony, except Melbourne but that city was led by blue-bloods from the UK who saw continuity with 'back home', not a cultural break like the Pilgrims.
Yes ANZAC Day commemorates a late realisation that we were different from the British - our diggers were taller and healthier than their fellow Brit soldiers. But it was never a family celebration. My grandfather served in France, but we never saw anything to celebrate (long story). Mostly it's a reunion of old mates. Renewed interest in the holiday only happened in recent decades.
We kept being drawn back to the UK, this was at its peak in the 1960s. You had a British invasion but young Australians invaded Swinging London as soon as they were old enough - it was a rite of passage. And then 100s of thousands of British migrated to Australia after WW2, as did Italians, Jewish immigrants, and 'Beautiful Balts':
https://www.newsouthbooks.com.au/books/beautiful-balts/
The Anglican Church headed by the monarch is the de facto state religion. They may have a thanksgiving, but being raised Catholic I know nothing about it.
Very broadly you could say Australia Day (26 Jan) but that's really like 4th of July.
I wanted to say, an American Fulbright scholar here pointed out to me that she was very uncomfortable that we had 4 days of holiday for Easter. That would be the Anglican influence. Maybe she was Jewish - she said 'In the US, Jews have had just enough influence to keep any particular religion dominating' - that was her theory. But Easter's long weekend is our longest holiday, when many families do meet, then Christmas which is the closest to Thanksgiving as an annual family reunion.
ReplyDeleteAussies' could celebrate on the same day we do. Our culture has been a major influencer for most of the world. This would be one of the best. Everyone has things to be thankful for.
ReplyDeletePaco, as Ensign Chekov (classic Star Trek) said, "I'll get through it .... but I won't like it."
ReplyDeleteBe safe. All best wishes.
Well I displayed my ignorance of US holidays. I thought Paco was off for a medical procedure. I wish all of the Pacoites a very happy Thanksgiving.
ReplyDeleteIf Australia adopted Thanksgiving as a holiday, they'd have to import a whole lot of turkeys, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie filling.
ReplyDeleteHow Vegemite might fit into that collection is an interesting question ... ...