Thanksgiving Day: Meaning, History, and Facts
Thanksgiving Day is a yearly national holiday in the United States and Canada that honors the harvest and other blessings from the past year.
Origins and Historical Background
Americans generally trace their Thanksgiving celebration to a 1621 harvest feast shared by the English colonists, known as the Pilgrims, and the Wampanoag people.
"Americans model their holiday on a 1621 harvest feast shared between the Wampanoag people and the English colonists known as Pilgrims."
However, the tradition of “thanksgivings”—days of prayer and gratitude for events such as safe journeys and military victories—was already practiced by colonists in New England and Canada.
Canadians date their earliest thanksgiving celebration to 1578, when an expedition led by Martin Frobisher gave thanks for a safe passage.
Modern Observance
- In the United States, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November, set by a 1941 Congressional resolution and a proclamation by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
- In Canada, the holiday is celebrated on the second Monday in October, a practice established since 1957.
Traditions and Celebrations
In both countries, Thanksgiving is a time for family and friends to gather for a festive meal.
Traditional American Thanksgiving menus usually include turkey, cranberries, and pumpkin pie.
"In both Canada and America, family and friends gather for a meal and other celebrations on Thanksgiving."
Colonists in New England and Canada historically marked thanksgivings as days of prayer for blessings such as abundant harvests or military victories.
Summary
Thanksgiving is a cherished North American holiday with deep historical roots, celebrated through gatherings that honor gratitude and traditional seasonal foods.
Author's summary: Thanksgiving Day unites Americans and Canadians in a shared tradition of gratitude, tracing back to early harvest celebrations and evolving into a festive time with family and traditional meals.