Joe McNamara

WE ARE NOW LICENSED IN WISCONSIN TO FURTHER SERVICE YOUR NEEDS

If you like doing business with a community-minded team, you have found the right place. We are conveniently located in DeerPath Shopping center on Rand Rd.

The Joe McNamara State Farm Insurance Agency in Lake Zurich has proudly served Lake Zurich IL and surrounding Lake County with Insurance and Financial Services since 2003. Our mission is to help people manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected and realize their dreams. We achieve this mission by the daily practice of living out our values and authentically knowing the people we serve. We strive to have our name, office, and brand be synonymous with compassion, excellence, and generosity.

We support our community by contributing to local nonprofit and charitable organizations elevating music, arts, athletics, social services, food banks, and much more.

We are members of The Lake Zurich Chamber of Commerce , Knights of Columbus , Lake Zurich Rotary , The Joseph Groh Foundation

Our caring and dedicated team work together to provide personalized insurance plans, serving your Auto Insurance, Commercial Auto Insurance, Home Insurance, Renters Insurance, Condo Insurance, Business Insurance, Workers Compensation, Flood Insurance, Boat Insurance, and Motorcycle Insurance. We also provide personalized Life Insurance plans that protect your most valuable assets. We offer free quotes and discounts on a variety of insurance products. Contact us today to see how we can help you and your family or stop on in, we would love to meet you!

We also enjoy helping customers make a smooth transition for current out of state State Farm customers that have relocated to the area

The history of Thanksgiving dates back to the early 17th century and is closely tied to the Pilgrims, early European settlers in North America, and Native Americans.

Early Origins:

• In 1620, a group of English Pilgrims sailed to North America on the Mayflower and established the Plymouth Colony in present-day Massachusetts.

• After a harsh first winter with many deaths, the Pilgrims received crucial help from the Wampanoag people, a Native American tribe, who taught them how to cultivate corn, fish, and gather local resources.

• In the fall of 1621, after their first successful harvest, the Pilgrims held a feast to celebrate and give thanks. This event is often considered the "First Thanksgiving." The feast was attended by 53 Pilgrims and approximately 90 Wampanoag people.

Development as a Tradition:

• Thanksgiving celebrations occurred sporadically and on different dates in various colonies over the following centuries.

• It was often proclaimed as a day of thanksgiving by religious or political leaders to mark events such as the end of droughts, military victories, or successful harvests.

Establishment as a National Holiday:

• During the American Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day in 1863 to be celebrated on the final Thursday of November, aiming to unite the country.

• In 1941, the U.S. Congress officially established Thanksgiving as a national holiday to be celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November.

In Canada:

• Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday of October.

• The Canadian Thanksgiving also has roots in European harvest festivals and is influenced by early explorers giving thanks for safe journeys and bountiful harvests.

Modern Significance:

Today, Thanksgiving is a time for families and friends to gather, share a meal, and express gratitude. The holiday also includes parades, football games, and volunteer activities. While it honors cooperation between Pilgrims and Native Americans, contemporary perspectives also acknowledge the complex history and impact of colonization on Indigenous peoples.