The New Yorker covers: November 25, 1961

When was the first thanksgiving in what would become the United States? Virginia says 1619 in, of course, Virginia. More familiar, though, is a 1621 feast in what is now Plymouth, Massachusetts, involving Pilgrims and the Wampanoag people. Competing claims aside, the American holiday is now celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November.

Frank Modell
(covers untitled until February 1993)

The New Yorker covers: April 5, 1969

As with several other holidays, Easter is both religious and secular. The Christian Easter commemorates the resurrection of Jesus. The secular Easter gives a starring role to a mythical bunny that distributes chocolate eggs or other sweets to children. Why the Easter Bunny is a non-laying rabbit rather than a hen is beyond me.

 

Frank_Modell
(covers untitled until February 1993)

The New Yorker covers: January 21, 1967

Merriam-Webster defines a garden as “a plot of ground where herbs, fruits, flowers, or vegetables are cultivated,” but the dictionary’s definitions also include this: “a container (such as a window box) planted with usually a variety of small plants.” Houseplants and cut flowers may not meet either definition, but I think they come close.

Frank Modell
(covers untitled until February 1993)

The New Yorker covers: November 27, 1965

Birds of almost every size and description have popped up on covers of The New Yorker from time to time. Some of them closely, or at least loosely. resemble actual birds. Others are too whimsical and fanciful to be mistaken for anything that exists in the real world. These are not all birds of a feather, by any means.

 

Frank Modell
(covers untitled until February 1993)

The New Yorker covers: December 16, 1972

I don’t get too excited about holidays, with one major exception. I’ve always had a warm spot in my heart for Christmas. The New Yorker has run many Christmas covers over the years, some of which, such as those by the late George Booth, are quite memorable.

Frank Modell
(covers untitled until February 1993)