Thanksgiving and Black Friday Safety Insight
A Brief Look at the History of Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Day has its origins in 1621, when the Wampanoag tribe and the first settlers of Plymouth gathered for a feast to celebrate their harvests and burgeoning friendship—a narrative woven into New World folklore. However, it wasn’t until 1863 that Abraham Lincoln proclaimed Thanksgiving a national holiday, decreeing it be celebrated in late November. Prior to this, the holiday wasn’t universally recognized across colonies or states. Interestingly, Canada is the only other country that observes its own version of Thanksgiving.
The roots of Thanksgiving trace back to 1620, when the Mayflower set sail from England, carrying religious separatists and others seeking a new life in what is now the eastern United States. After surviving a harrowing journey and harsh conditions, the settlers joined with the Wampanoags in a moment of gratitude and camaraderie. Yet, while the tradition of giving thanks and sharing with loved ones endures, the story behind it is far more complex and somber.
History and legend cast shadows on the idyllic image of unity. In the years following that initial gathering, greed and expansionism led to the displacement and eventual decimation of the Wampanoag people. Their lands were seized, and their culture was nearly erased—a stark contrast to the harmony initially celebrated.
Why Turkey for Thanksgiving?
For decades, Thanksgiving Day has been synonymous family gatherings and a stuffed turkey dinner, served with hearty side dishes consisting of pumpkin pie, mashed potatoes; typical foods marked by the end of the autumn harvest. But how did turkey get thrown into the mix? According to legend, interest in the turkey started with Benjamin Franklin, in whose eyes the turkey made for a better national bird than the bald eagle. The early settlers, however, choose the turkey cause there weren’t any geese, which was a popular roasting bird in the old world. Turkeys were also more plump, less costly, and easier to grow. Gobble, gobble…
What’s the deal with Black Friday?
Black Friday is popular for bargain hunters spewing into stores and shopping malls seeking outrageous savings. As everyone in the modern world knows, Black Friday follows Thanksgiving day and dates back to 1869 when two American investors caused a market crash that affected local and foreign trade. Black Friday also refers to the time when business owners begin to recover after the slump caused by the end of the summer season, when most people eat into their savings.
Thanksgiving Day and Accidents
When large groups of people gather at places such as shopping malls, for example, mayhem can surely strike, and when it does, the chances of someone being involved in an accident that leads to personal injuries rises. The types of accidents that occur in shopping malls can include any of the following:
- Slip & Fall Accidents – Slip and fall accidents in Miami can occur on almost any walking surface. One of the more difficult aspects of slip and fall cases is proving that the business owner or operator of the location where the injury occurred was negligent and responsible for the injuries incurred by the visitor or shopper.
- Elevator and Escalator Accidents – Most elevator accidents are the direct results of mechanical errors, either due to manufacturing defects or maintenance issues such as lack of or improper servicing by qualified personnel. An elevator is not a car and requires authorized and highly skilled engineers and technicians to carry out proper maintenance on a regular basis.
- Parking Lot Accidents – Some 18% of all reported motor vehicle accidents take place in parking lots and 15% of parking lot accidents result in damages and injuries. Parking lot accidents in Miami may be the result of a motorist backing-out of a parking spot in haste and inadvertently running into a pedestrian crossing the parking lot.
- Pedestrian Accidents – Negligent motorists are the number one cause behind pedestrian accidents that take place in parking lots.
- Products Liability Accidents – Companies and individuals that manufacture, distribute, or commercialize goods to be used or consumed by consumers are required by law to be safe and hazard-free.
If you, a friend, or relative needs help filing an insurance claim following an accident, contact the Perazzo Law Firm ONLINE for a FREE initial consultation and talk to one of our highly-dedicated personal injury lawyers and staff in Miami-Dade serving all South Florida residents.
