Charlie Brown and crew gathered to celebrate Thanksgiving. And there was a CBS TV special on November 20, 1973, loved by millions then, and since. The cherished cartoons, characters, and their individual stories by Charles Schulz transcended time and generations.

I am not sure if Generation Alpha (2013-2025) knows about Snoopy and their friends, or if they even know about Charlie Brown, but many of us Baby Boomers (1946-1964) and Generation Xs (1965-1980) enjoyed the ingenuity, friendship, and overall contentment with one’s life portrayed in these cartoons. Millennials (1981-1996) and Generation Zs (1997-2012) may have heard about it. I do not know.

What was very special about Charlie Brown and their friends was the way they built community. No cell phones, video games, or any other electronic gadget interfering. A kid was a kid, and they had to go outside, around the block, make friends with their names, love those who they liked, and tolerate those they didn’t love, and it was perfect for childhood. The world of the adults, as it is happening today, was even then going and doing nonsense. Brutal, unevolved, dehumanizing, and more. But the kids were able to gather in front of a thing (Television) and by watching what they watched, they could imagine a friendlier world.

Happy Thanksgiving. Thank you, Charlie Brown & Friends. Thank you, Charles Schulz.

-Lupita Franco Peimbert.

By the way, Charles Schulz lived in Santa Rosa, California with his wife, for several years. Currently, there is a museum a research center in his honor. They have all kinds of activities year-round, but especially during the Holidays. Here is the link: https://schulzmuseum.org/