Thanksgiving came off pretty well in America and Canada this year. We are the only countries to celebrate this holiday because our governments are based on Judeo-Christian philosophy, where gratitude for good fortune is important.

Other countries throughout the world formed without an overall philosophical view, but the American founders built a structure based on freedom and personal rights, which, of course, are derived from a monotheistic God, a creator.

Again, Rome had nothing like this, nor did the Europe that grew up after the Roman fall. The Middle East, Africa, and Asia were mostly formed by tyrannical warlords who governed by the sword. Heads rolled, literally.

So, if you take a global view, North Americans have a lot to be thankful for, even if many of them have little understanding of our countries. On the freedom front, you cannot force anyone to care about anything, including their country.

But I value American traditions like Thanksgiving and July 4th.

I hope you do, too.

Enjoy the weekend. New column on Sunday.