Facts about Thanksgiving Day
Thanksgiving Day is celebrated in the United States of America on the fourth Thursday of November. It is a national holiday in which people give thanks for the blessings they have received. Thanksgiving has been celebrated since the early days of the American colonies.
Historical origin:
The first Thanksgiving was held by the Pilgrims in 1621 to celebrate their first harvest in the New World. The Pilgrims had arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1620 aboard the Mayflower. They faced many challenges during their first winter in America, and half of them died. The following spring, they were helped by Squanto, a Native American who taught them how to grow corn and other crops. The Pilgrims held a three-day feast to thank Squanto and celebrate their harvest.
This feast is now considered the first Thanksgiving.
What is typically served at Thanksgiving?
Thanksgiving dinner usually consists of roasted turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie.
How many people travel during Thanksgiving?
About 50 million people travel during Thanksgiving weekend. This is one of the busiest travel times of the year.
What are some other things people do on Thanksgiving Day?
In addition to eating a big meal, people often watch football games, and parade floats, and spends time with family and friends on Thanksgivings Day.
What is the history of Thanksgiving Day?
The first Thanksgivings was held by the Pilgrims in 1621 to celebrate their first harvest in the New World. The Pilgrims had arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1620 aboard the Mayflower. They faced many challenges during their first winter in America, and half of them died. The following spring, they were helped by Squanto, a Native American who taught them how to grow corn and other crops. The Pilgrims held a three-day feast to thank Squanto and celebrate their harvest.
This feast is now considered the first Thanksgiving.
Thanksgivings is a national holiday in the United States, celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. It originated as a harvest festival, thanksgiving for the blessing of the harvest. Over time, it has evolved into a day to give thanks for all blessings, both big and small.
In recent years, some have pushed back against the commercialization of the holiday, and have advocated for a return to its roots as a day of giving thanks.
Did You Know?
Here are some interesting facts about Thanksgiving that you may not have known:
1. The first Thanksgiving was celebrated in 1621 by the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Indians.
2. The feast lasted three days!
3. Turkey was not on the menu – instead, guests dined on venison, duck, geese, oysters, eel, and lobster.
4. Pumpkins were not originally used to make pies – instead, they were used as doorstops or lanterns.
5. Abraham Lincoln did not declare Thanksgiving a national holiday – that honor goes to Sarah Josepha Hale, a writer and editor who campaigned for over 40 years to make Thanksgiving a nationally recognized holiday.
6. Every year, the president “pardons” one lucky turkey, sparing it from becoming someone’s dinner.
7. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is the largest parade in the world, also with over 3 million spectators lining the streets of New York City every year.
8. Football is almost as much a part of Thanksgiving as turkey – the first professional football game was played on Thanksgiving Day in 1892, and the annual NFL Turkey Bowl has been a tradition since 1934.
9. According to legend, if you find a wishbone on your plate after the turkey has been carved, you can also make a wish. The tradition is said to date back to the Romans, who used the bones of birds to tell fortunes.
10. Thanksgiving is celebrated in Canada, too – but on the second Monday in October.
Whether you’re spending Thanksgivings with family or friends, we hope you have a wonderful day!
Conclusion:
Thanksgivings is a national holiday in the United States, celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. It originated as a harvest festival, a time to give thanks for the bounty of the harvest. Over time, it has evolved into a day to give thanks for all blessings, both big and small.
There are many traditions associated with Thanksgiving, from the turkey dinner to watching football games to also spending time with family and friends. Whatever your plans are for the holiday, we hope you have a wonderful day!