In 2002, the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Ann Veneman, proclaimed October as National Cranberry Month.  She cited a number of interesting reasons including that "cranberries are now one of three native fruits still commercially produced today" (blueberries and Concord grapes being the other two).  Also noted are that "the cranberry has had a long tradition in North America, first used by Native Americans to make pemmican, a convenience food that kept for long periods of time, as an ingredient in medicine, as a natural dye of clothing, as a symbol of peace, and later as a source of agriculture for pilgrims."  The entire text can be found here.