The tradition of setting aside a day for giving thanks goes back hundreds, even thousands of years. Here in the United States, the fourth Thursday of November has been a day of thanksgiving since Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day in 1863. In 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a bill into law, making it “official” that the fourth Thursday of every November would be Thanksgiving Day.
So today, we pause to give thanks, and to feel thankful.
At Udacity, we have so much to be thankful for. First and foremost, our students. Without you, there is no Udacity. We are so thankful for the inspiring example that you set every day. Thankful that you have entrusted your learning to Udacity. Thankful for all you achieve, and all you bring to the world. We are thankful to know each and every one of you.
We are thankful for one another. To our fellow “Udacians,” as we like to call ourselves. It is a wonderful thing to come together in the service of helping others, and in the spirit of learning. I know for myself, I am humbled every single day by the passion, the commitment, and the dedication of my colleagues here at Udacity. I am so thankful to be a part of this community, and so thankful to work alongside this extraordinary group of people.
We are thankful to the supporters, the people who help our students grow and achieve. To the parents, spouses, friends, co-workers, mentors, and loved ones whose support for a student has made a dream possible, we say thank you! And we are thankful to everyone who supports Udacity, who helps to make our work possible. Whether you funded a scholarship, or simply retweeted an announcement, we thank you. We thank you for acting on our behalf, because in doing so, you act on behalf of our students.
We are thankful for our partners and collaborators. The individuals and companies whose expertise makes our curriculum better. The individuals and companies whose commitment to hiring the best talent—regardless of background or circumstances—makes the dreams of our students come true. The individuals and companies who have come together to help us create new opportunities for more lifelong learners across the globe.
We are thankful to be alive and working in these remarkable times. When so much is at stake, and so much is possible. When a brighter future for the world looms. Our students are the future of the world, and we are thankful for the hope this instills in us. As you have put your learning in our hands, we put our future in yours, and we do so with gratitude for the world we know you’ll build.
Happy Thanksgiving to you all, from all at Udacity.
