SUNBURY - Civil War reenactors Barry and Faye Stocker, of Klingerstown, will be the featured speakers at a meeting of the Northumberland County Historical Society to take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, at the Hunter House, 1150 N. Front St.
The Stockers will present a program, "A Civil War Thanksgiving," which details the history of Thanksgiving and how it became a national holiday during the Civil War in 1863, thanks to the efforts of President Abraham incoln.
The editor of "Godey's Ladies Book," Sarah Hale, solicited Lincoln's support in making the last Thursday of November the day that Thanksgiving would be observed across the nation. She felt strongly that it was important to make this designation at a time when the country was divided in its views on slavery.
Thanksgiving did not become a national holiday in the United States until the fall of 1863, when Lincoln issued a proclamation declaring that the last Thursday in November would be a day of national thanksgiving. Prior to that, each state was permitted to choose the date that it would celebrate Thanksgiving.
Barry and Faye Stocker moved to Klingerstown from the Allentown area more than 10 years ago. They have been active with various Civil War reenacting groups, doing school programs and public events since 1995.
The program is open to the public and free of charge. It will be the last public program for 2013.
Programs will resume on Thursday, March 20, when John Moore will present one on the construction of Fort Augusta and the fort's first several years of activity.
A reception will follow the Stockers' presentation. For more information, call 570-286-4083.