Purposeful Retirement: The Origins of Thanksgiving

November 16, 2026 10:00 AM

 - 12:00 PM

Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church
Sync to Calendar
Promotional image for a talk showing a Thanksgiving feast and a photo of speaker Frank Sachs holding a microphone. Text reads "The Origins of Thanksgiving."

When & Where

Monday, November 16
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Shepherd of the Valley Chapel

Register

What to Expect

Fact, Fiction, and the Making of an American Tradition

Join the Purposeful Retirement group to hear historian Frank Sachs dive into the history behind how a 1621 harvest feast evolved into the national holiday (Thanksgiving) we celebrate today.

Attendees can expect to learn:
  • The story behind the 1621 feast.
  • The role of Native Americans and the Pilgrims.
  • How George Washington and Abraham Lincoln helped shape the holiday.
  • The myths, facts, and traditions that continue to influence Thanksgiving today.

Please bring a donation for the food shelf!

About the Speaker

Frank Sachs is a retired Twin Cities educator with a BS in American history and a MS in guidance and counseling. He has taught in college, and public, and private schools for 45 years. The last 37 were at the Blake School in Minneapolis where he was director of college counseling while teaching in the Social Studies department. Frank retired from Blake in 2019 and is now serves as faculty emeritus.

Purposeful RetirementApple Valley Food Shelf