English III: Calendar of Learning

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Some Words of Truth from Honest Abe. HAPPY THANKSGIVING! (DUE 11/30)

"We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven; we have grown in numbers, wealth and power as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God that made us. It has seemed to me fit and proper that [the gifts of God] should be solemnly, reverently, and gratefully acknowledged with one heart and one voice by the whole American people. I do, therefore, invite my fellow citizens to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a day of THANKSGIVING AND PRAISE to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens." -Abraham Lincoln

DIRECTIONS: Please respond to the quote from Abraham Lincoln and address the following questions in 2 separate paragraphs:
  • What does the quote speak to our freedom as an American people? In everyday life, how can we show our respect and gratitude for this freedom?
  • What does Thanksgiving mean to you?

26 comments:

  1. The quote speaks to the freedom that all Americans have. They are granted the right to practice whatever religion they want, speak as they wish, and many other rights. I can show respect and gratitude for the freedoms granted to me by excercising my rights. If you don't excercise your rights they have know reason for their existense.
    To me Thanksgiving means a day to see family and friend and eat. It is a day off from school yes, but any day can be a day off from school. Thanksgiving is a celebraton of unity and peace between all walks off life. And no matter where you are you can always have a happy Thanksgiving.

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  3. The quote speaks about our freedom as American’s because it talks about how we have wealth and power more than any other nation. That gives us more freedom to choose things for ourselves and families and a lot of other nations. Not a lot of people realize how much freedom that we have today. In everyday life we can pray to god and thank him for all that we have to be thankful for. Instead of just thanking him on thanksgiving do it every day.

    To me thanksgiving is a day when you talk about what you are thankful for. Your family and loved ones get together and have a lovely dinner and talk about things that make you happy. Thanksgiving is all about being nice to someone and celebrating the good things in life.

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  4. This quote speaks to us as if we have forgotten god. That we have pushed him aside and put our own goals in front of us. With our straight forward thinking of our goals has put us in the possession of the highest country. Everyday we can show our gratitude by showing patriot-ing thoughts and acts. Get up and say the pledge of allegiance everyday, and morning those who have fought to keep this country as it is, and always shall be.

    Thanksgiving means many things to the people of America. Thanksgiving to Native americans might mean the day that their land was overtaken by the Europeans. European Americans might think its the way of saying thanks to their independence from Great Britain.

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  5. This quote speaks to our freedom saying that we as american people have more wealth and power than others.
    In everday life we could thank him before every dinner.
    Thanksgiving means thanking God for the food and the nice things we own. Being there is what we are thankful for and being together. Thanksgiving is a family get together bringing people close and showing them what they have.

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  6. This quote is saying to Americans that we should all be grateful for the freedom that we have earned and deserve. In our lives we should live each day to the fullest and be happy for being alive and free. If each person lived their day being happy for just being alive, then the world would be a much more thankful place. All that we need to do is give thanks for our lives and the people in them.
    Thanks giving to me mean remembering the ones in my life who help me, and those who are always there for me. If I forget to give thanks for those people then I just don’t feel right with myself. Thanksgiving is also a time to spend with family and have fun with them. I also use Thanksgiving Day to prepare for Black Friday shopping. This is the one time of year when my whole house goes out and shops together and has a good time.

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  7. What does the quote speak to our freedom as an American people? In everyday life, how can we show our respect and gratitude for this freedom?
    This quote is telling the people of America that this county it under one nation and under god indivisible with liberty and justice for all and that we are taking our freedom for granted. We can honor our freedom by giving thanks threw people of America. Meaning giving a hand to those in need and helping out our country.
    What does Thanksgiving mean to you?
    Thanksgiving means to me, it’s not just a holiday but a celebration in the thanks for family and friends we have to share in our lives. Dead or alive we are thankful to have them in our lives.

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  8. Jimmy Ernst
    This quote shows the specific reasons why we have freedom in this country, while other country’s do not. It shows that we have grown bigger better, and more efficient in our wonderings. In our lifetime many people take our freedom for granted, when they really should thank our founding fathers for what we have. We should also thank the present leaders whether bad or good for what they have been doing to help us.
    Thanksgiving, it means a lot to me. It’s not only being thankful for the food we receive, but everything in our lives that has been good. Thanking people before us for what they helped set up in our lives today. What we have today took since the beginning of time to create so we should give thanks to them.

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  9. This quote speaks to our freedom as an American people by remembering that God had created us, and also given us the opportunity to become a free people. In everyday live we can show our respect and gratitude for our freedom by making sure that we pray to our God every night thanking God for the freedom that we have received.

    Thanksgiving to me means that we really should give thanks. We should give thanks for our God, and the wonderful people that dwell upon this Earth with us. We should give thanks to our Family, friends, neighbors, and everyone else. In general, we should just be thankful for what we have.

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  10. In this following quote written by Abraham Lincoln whose first name is found in the bible. Anyway I think at that time he was explaining that even though we have been victorious in many situations we shouldn't forget who has a big input and help us. I know America grew as groups of diverse people but together we united to help our country succeed above the other countries in this period of time.

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  11. In this quote gives America a good impression at this time. It says alot about our freedom, and says how lucky our nation was because of our wealth and power. In this qoute, Lincoln is saying we should give praise to God instead of being all about our selves to show respect and gradtitude for what we have.
    To me, thanksgiving IS about showing respect for God and what he has provided me with. It is also about enjoying what he has given us. Like having a family and enjoy eating food together and stuff like that.

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  12. Patrick Enley



    As a whole, in speaking of an American legacy, freedom to the colonists meant many different things. If you look at it from the old days of American culture, you’ll see that the Americans were more grateful. They never had known a feeling in which they had laws and set rules, then went to a different land and then had so many freedoms; they didn’t know what to do with them. They didn’t overlook the things that they had, and cherished everything they received. Although ignorance was found in their religions, but this was because they had now the option in what they wanted to believe in. And given the choice in what to believe in, the colonists may have caused confusion, anxiety, or maybe even an act in rebellion in trying to maintain the American culture in one religion. But in the present time, ignorance is not just in religion, it is in everything. People nowadays do not take the advantages in which they had planned for during the early American days. Everything has changed. People have become ignorant to important knowledge, a lack of manners and etiquette, and even the proper respect that other people had received. It would be a lie to say that everyone was like this in today’s world, but it is true that a large amount of the population has changed into this horrid lifestyle. Drugs, tobacco, ignorance, alcohol, and anything else bad that has happened to our culture, although some of it was thought of, created or found even before early America, has drastically changed the way of American living.
    Thanksgiving has many meanings. To me it means a different variety of things. To me, it means family, friends, love, understanding, and a new depth in life. Family, because it is a virtue that many people in today’s world either don’t have or don’t understand. Friends, where would your life be without a few friends? Friends have an understanding of you that well, your parents or family members may not have. The next point in my meanings to Thanksgiving, is love. It is said that love is the strongest drug, but is not addictive. Understanding, which is basically saying understanding what Thanksgiving is about. And a new depth in life. Thanksgiving is one of those times that you’ll get to see a different part of life, and that your life can change.

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  13. In this quote, Abraham Lincoln is trying to acknowledge the fact that we, as gifted people, are spoiled. We have many things that other people do not and we take these things for granted. We don’t stop to actually think and give thanks to what we’ve got. Many of us do not realize what we have until we’ve lost it. Freedom is one key thing that we definitely take for granted and it’s the one major thing that we shouldn’t. Everything we have and everything we do is because we are free. To show gratitude for our freedom, we should appreciate the little things that we have.

    Thanksgiving is more than just a holiday, to me. I believe that this day is to appreciate your family and everything around you. Everyday should be like this, but we all lose track sometimes.

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  14. What does the quote speak to our freedom as an American people? In everyday life, how can we show our respect and gratitude for this freedom?

    The quote has to deal with how the human race has evolved where we more likely depend on our self. Also then we start to more likely appreciate the gifts from the lord.

    What does Thanksgiving mean to you?

    Thanksgiving is a time where culture, and races get together and feast apon the food that the lord offers. As family gets together and shares interests and moments in life. Thanksgiving is also a time for family to get reaquainted and stay in touch.

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  15. This quote says that Americans today take their freedom for granted. People forget that Jesus, our lord and savior, died for us to be free. They forget who took care of them when they couldn't provide for themselves.

    Thanksgiving to me means family. People coming together to share some food, laughs, and love. Family members coming from all over just to give thanks for having each other. Families should always do this because some people don't even have that chance.

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  17. -The quote explains that our people have grown as a whole. We all reap the rewards that “God” have set for us, but we don’t take the time to thank him as we should. It basically says that our people are selfish and inconsiderate. He died for us to be free, and we don't give him he credit he is due. That we basically take or freedom for granted. We should show appreciation for all the things that we have because they are not nessecities, and we should be thankful that we have them.

    -Thanksgiving to me is not a holiday. It is a day, just like any other, that people get together and eat great food, and a day that they voice why there are thankful. Holidays to me, give an excuse for “family” to come and eat up all your food, and sleep in all your rooms, act “grateful,” and reminisce on when they were young and how our generations are so ungrateful and expensive. This gives an excuse for family to be together, when normally they wouldn’t want to have anything to do with you. This is the reason I don’t believe in “holidays,” because to me, everyday should be a holiday. On the original day in 1621 “Thanksgiving” was an English celebration, and the original feast lasted three days. The Pilgrims shared it with the Native Americans because they taught the colonists to plant crops and hunt. Without the Native Americans, the Pilgrims may not have survived that harsh winter. Ironically, majority of the Native Americans were killed off. “In 1789, George Washington became the first president to declare Thanksgiving a holiday. By the mid-1800s, many states observed the Thanksgiving holiday.”

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  18. The quote explains that we are not as grateful of our lives that we should be. There were several times were America could have died off. And yet we still stand, we should be grateful to God. Thanksgiving is an American holiday were people take off from work and give thanks to the people around them. Anything that they have to be grateful for is reserved for that pacific time. At first glance this holiday is very religious because you are giving thanks to God for his many blessings. But it was created as an American holiday because when pilgrims first arrived they were dieing left and right. But Indians came and helped them make homes and hospitals and they learned how to make food, and when they were ok they gave thanks for surviving. I don’t celebrate thanksgiving with that thought in my mind. It’s just a time were you can get together with friends and family and thank God for his blessings.

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  19. What does the quote speak to our freedom as an American people? In everyday life, how can we show our respect and gratitude for this freedom?

    This quote speaks about how us Americans don’t appreciate what God have giving us. We don’t thank God for giving us stuff or for working us up in the morning. We can start thanking God for what he did for us and not take advantages of what we got. A lot of people do not have what we have so we should be blessed that we have such good freedom.

    What does Thanksgiving mean to you?

    Thanksgiving means to me is the day where your whole entire family get together and thank the food that God has giving us. Be thankful that everybody get here safely. That we all just thankful that we can see each other and have fun on Thanksgiving.

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  20. -The quote explains that our people have grown as a whole. We should show appreciation for all the things that we have because they are not necessities, and we should be thankful that we have them. It says that our people are selfish and inconsiderate.
    -Thanksgiving is a Day some people may consider it as a holiday and some may not. Holiday give an excuse for your family to come to your house and eat all you food and spend time and reminisce about the “Good Days” when everything cost less and gas wasn’t $3 a gallon, but you can do this on any day. Everyday should be a holiday. My family gets together on Sunday for dinner even if it is going out to restaurants. Thanksgiving Day is a harvest festival celebrated primarily in the United States and Canada. It was traditionally suppose to a time to give thanks for a bountiful harvest. There are some religious elements in the celebration; But Thanksgiving today is primarily identified as a secular holiday.

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  21. This quote says that we are free and in appart of gaining our freedom, we have "forgotten" god. We need to thank him for everything he has done for us. He created everything around us including us. We owe him everything.

    To me, thanksgiving is about love. It is about being around people who love and care about eachother. It's about joking, talking, catching up, seeing and tlking to family, and thanking god that we all have echother.

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  22. GRADING FOR THIS POST IS COMPLETE.

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  23. SUBMITTING IT LATE IS NOT SO GREAT BUT BETTER THAN NOTHING AT ALL!

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  24. This quote has a very strong opinion. It talks about how we Americans have come along. We have grown successfully as a nation. We have encounter problems but still we stand today. Many of us don’t realize what you have until is gone. And although that quote has been over used many of times, it speaks the truth. It also talks about how we don’t value that one person that got us here which is God. Freedom is the major key word that we take for granted. To show gratitude for our freedom, we should appreciate the little things that we have. Basically take at least a minute in the day pray, look up and smile and say “I know that was you god, Thanks.” We have to take the time and acknowledge what he has done.

    Though this might seem lost in today's world, the basic reason we celebrate thanksgiving is to strive and achieve a meaningful relationship with the life around you. Also, to set a goal, live it despite the challenges given you, and being thankful for the chance to do it. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year. My family gets together for a beautiful dinner and always has a turkey of course. We add some other things but the turkey is the main centerpiece. We as a family reflect on the year and express our thankfulness for the blessings we have.


    -Sonia R.

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  25. This quote speaks to the freedom that all Americans have. A lot of people don’t appreciate these freedoms such as the freedom of religion and the freedom of speech. In everyday life, we as American people can show our respect and gratitude for this freedom by practicing our rights. Donating money and helping the less fortunate is also a good way to show how grateful we are.

    Thanksgiving means a lot of different things to a lot of different people all over America. Some people look at Thanksgiving as a day off of school. I look at Thanksgiving as a day I get to spend with my family. On Thanksgiving, my family usually meets up at my grandmothers house to have dinner and we discuss what we are thankful for, relax and just have a good time. Some people don't do anything for Thanksgiving, which is fine. I just think everyone in America should look at Thanksgiving as the day to just analyze their lives and how much worse things could be.

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  26. The quote speaks on the rights and freedoms that all Americans are born with, or their "god given" rights. Many people take things such as religious freedoms and freedom of speech. In other countries speaking your your opinion or religious beliefs can get you killed instantly. There are little things that are taken for granted.

    Thanksgiving has many different meanings on the holiday; some use it as a day off from school or work, but me and my family use it as a time to spend with each other. We usually go to my aunt's house and we always have a good time. Everybody says"it could be better" but anything could be worse so be thankful for what you do have.

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