Thanksgiving Day: Meaning, History, and Facts
Thanksgiving Day is an annual national holiday in the United States and Canada that celebrates the harvest and other blessings of the past year.
Historical Origins
In the United States, the holiday is commonly believed to be based on a 1621 harvest feast shared between the European colonists known as Pilgrims of Plymouth and the Wampanoag people.
Early colonists in New England and Canada observed “thanksgivings,” which were days of prayer expressing gratitude for safe journeys, military victories, or plentiful harvests.
Americans model their holiday on a 1621 harvest feast shared between the Wampanoag people and the English colonists known as Pilgrims.
In Canada, the earliest recorded thanksgiving dates back to 1578, when an expedition led by Martin Frobisher gave thanks for a safe passage.
Dates of Celebration
- In the United States, Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November, established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1941 and a proclamation by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
- Since 1957, Canada has celebrated Thanksgiving on the second Monday in October.
Traditions
In both countries, families and friends gather to share a meal and celebrate together. Traditional American Thanksgiving meals often include turkey, cranberries, and pumpkin pie.
Traditional fare in America often includes turkey, cranberries, and pumpkin pie.
Author's Summary
Thanksgiving honors a historical harvest celebration, bringing families together annually in the US and Canada to give thanks and enjoy traditional meals.
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