It was Sarah Josepha Hale, a magazine editor, whose efforts eventually led to what we recognize as Thanksgiving. Hale wrote many editorials championing her cause in her Boston Ladies' Magazine, and later, in Godey's Lady's Book. She was fired with the determination of having the whole nation join together in setting apart a national day for giving thanks unto Him from who all blessings flow.

In 1830, New York proclaimed an official state Thanksgiving Day. Other states soon followed its example. In 1852, her campaign succeeded in uniting 29 states in marking the last Thursday of November as Thanksgiving Day.