Life — November 4, 1909 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Life Magazine Thanksgiving Number, November 4, 1909 This is the cover of Life's Thanksgiving issue. The illustration depicts a cherub or cupid figure with wings, appearing to kick or propel a large open book labeled "KNOWLEDGE" upward into the air. The book's pages are splayed and radiating light. The satire likely comments on the value and power of knowledge or education—particularly how knowledge propels human progress forward with vigor and enthusiasm. The celestial cherub suggests this is presented as an almost divine or blessed enterprise. Given the Thanksgiving theme, this may be celebrating American educational advancement or emphasizing knowledge as something for which to be grateful. The dynamic, forceful movement conveys optimism about intellectual development during this Progressive Era period.