good fortune that this country has brought to its citizens. the day has become a kind of secular national holiday and a moment to give thanks for all the material and nonmaterial blessings of life. but it traces its origins to one particular community and customs, the puritans. needless to say, the original thanksgiving bears little resemblance to modern american thanksgivings. in their origins, these were essentially religious obser observances, not food fests. puritan america has left few traces on modern american life, and perhaps just as well. they were worried about moral corrup...