Thanksgiving Day Traditions

Thanksgiving Day Traditions:

• Thanksgiving Day is a national holiday in the United States, and Thanksgiving tradition typically includes a large feast, usually with turkey as the main dish. For many people, the holiday is also a time for family gatherings and reflection on what they are thankful for.
• Interestingly, the origins of Thanksgiving Day are quite controversial, with some historians suggesting that it was originally a pagan holiday. However, the most commonly accepted version of events is that Thanksgiving was first celebrated by the Pilgrims in 1621 as a way to give thanks for their good fortune in surviving their first year in America.
• Today, Thanksgiving Day is still largely about giving thanks and spending time with family and friends. However, over the years, other traditions have developed, such as watching football, eating pumpkin pie, and going shopping.
• Thanksgiving Day is a national holiday in the United States, typically celebrated with a large feast. The holiday has its roots in the 1621 Pilgrims’ Thanksgiving, but many of the traditions we associate with the day (turkey, pumpkin pie, watching football) are much more recent additions. Here’s a look at the history and evolution of Thanksgiving Day traditions.
• The first recorded Thanksgiving celebration in North America took place in 1621 when a group of English settlers known as the Pilgrims held a three-day feast to celebrate their successful harvest. The event was attended by members of the Wampanoag tribe, who helped the Pilgrims survive their first winter in America.
• While the 1621 feast is often cited as the first Thanksgiving, it’s important to note that similar celebrations were held by other groups of European settlers in North America during the 1600s. In fact, the concept of a harvest festival dates back to ancient times and was celebrated by cultures all over the world.
• The Pilgrims’ 1621 feast was likely modeled after similar celebrations they had enjoyed in England. However, there are some key differences between the two holidays. For one, the English version of Thanksgiving was a somber religious occasion while the American holiday has always been more of a secular celebration.
• In 1789, George Washington issued a proclamation declaring Thursday, November 26th to be a day of “public thanksgiving and prayer.” This date was later changed to the fourth Thursday of November by Abraham Lincoln in 1863.
• Thanksgiving remained a regional holiday until the latter half of the 19th century when it slowly started to become more popular across the country. In 1871, Sarah Josepha Hale, editor of “Godey’s Lady’s Book,” wrote a letter to President Abraham Lincoln urging him to declare Thanksgiving a national holiday. Her campaign was successful and, in October of that year, Lincoln issued a presidential proclamation making Thanksgiving a national holiday.
• While the date of Thanksgiving has remained unchanged since 1863, the traditions associated with the holiday have evolved over time. One of the most significant changes took place in 1939 when Franklin Roosevelt moved the holiday up a week in an effort to boost retail sales during the Great Depression. This “early” Thanksgiving was met with much criticism and, in 1941, Roosevelt signed a bill making Thanksgiving the fourth Thursday in November once again.
• Turkey has been the main dish of Thanksgiving dinner since the 1621 feast. However, other traditional foods such as pumpkin pie, sweet potatoes, and green beans were not added to the menu until later years.
• Football is often considered synonymous with Thanksgiving but the first professional game was not played until 1876, nearly 100 years after the holiday was first celebrated. The Detroit Lions have hosted a game on Thanksgiving Day every year since 1934 with the exception of 1939-1944 when the games were suspended due to World War II.
• Thanksgiving Day is still largely about giving thanks and spending time with family and friends. However, over the years, other traditions have developed, such as watching football, eating pumpkin pie, and going shopping.

Conclusion:

Thanksgiving is a holiday with a rich history and tradition in the United States. While the date of the holiday remains unchanged, many of the traditions associated with it have changed and evolved over time. Today, Thanksgiving is a day for giving thanks, spending time with family and friends, and enjoying traditional foods like turkey and pumpkin pie. It is also a day when many people take part in activities like watching football or going shopping.