ALL your Thanksgiving needs – Delaware Digital Newspaper Project

by David Cardillo, DDNP Staff

One of the many interesting features of older newspapers lies in old advertisements. In preparation for the Thanksgiving holiday, the Evening Journal of November 26, 1912 had a full-page advertisement for goods and services for the upcoming holiday.

Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.), 26 Nov. 1912. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress.

Looking at this with modern eyes, one might take it for some sort of superstore ad that is able to provide someone with all their Thanksgiving Day needs. Instead, it appears several local companies pooled their resources and took out a full-page ad where they all advertised their Thanksgiving wares. Turkeys? Check. Candy for dessert? Check. Wine? Check. Bread? Check. Furniture? Check. For those who don’t like to cook? Restaurant and catering options were available.

On behalf of the DDNP staff, have a happy and safe Thanksgiving!