Thanksgiving Day in the United States is a significant holiday traditionally celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. This holiday has its roots in early colonial times as a harvest festival, and it is a day of giving thanks for the blessings of the harvest and of the preceding year.

Table of Contents

1. When is Thanksgiving Day?
2. The History of Thanksgiving Day?
3. What Do People Do on This Day?
4. The Pilgrims' Thanksgiving

When is Thanksgiving Day?

In the United States, Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November each year.

The following is the list of Thanksgiving Day in the United States from 2020 to 2049.

The History of Thanksgiving Day?

The history of Thanksgiving Day in the United States is rooted in early colonial history. Long before Europeans arrived, various Native American tribes celebrated the end of the harvest season with feasting and merriment. The English and Europeans also had a tradition of celebrating after the harvest was complete, thanking God for the bounty.

The "First Thanksgiving" was celebrated by the Pilgrims after their first harvest in the New World in October 1621. This feast lasted three days, and it was attended by the Pilgrims and the Native Americans. However, the early celebration was more of a religious observance, and it wasn't called "Thanksgiving" at that time.

In 1789, President George Washington issued a proclamation naming Thursday, November 26, a "Day of Public Thanksgiving" – the first time Thanksgiving was celebrated under the new Constitution.

In the 19th century, Sarah Hale, an influential magazine editor and author, campaigned for Thanksgiving to be a national holiday.

In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln heeded Hale's request and scheduled Thanksgiving for the final Thursday in November. It was celebrated on that day every year until 1939.

In 1939, Franklin D. Roosevelt moved Thanksgiving up a week to help boost retail sales during the Great Depression. This change was met with much controversy.

In 1941, Congress passed a law that established Thanksgiving as the fourth Thursday in November, where it remains today.

What Do People Do on This Day?

On Thanksgiving Day, people in the United States engage in various traditions and activities that are centered around family, food, and giving thanks.

The most prominent feature of Thanksgiving is the gathering of family and friends for a large meal. This often includes people traveling long distances to be with loved ones.

The Thanksgiving meal typically includes turkey, stuffing (or dressing), mashed potatoes with gravy, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, various fall vegetables, and pumpkin pie. Some families include dishes from their cultural heritage or family recipes that have been passed down through generations.

Watching football on Thanksgiving Day is a long-standing American tradition. The National Football League (NFL) has games scheduled throughout the day.

Many people watch Thanksgiving parades, the most famous being the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. These parades often feature large balloons, floats, marching bands, and performances.

For many, Thanksgiving is a day to relax, enjoy the company of others, and perhaps indulge in a nap after the feast.

Each family tends to develop its own traditions and ways of celebrating, making Thanksgiving a very personal and unique holiday for many.

The Pilgrims' Thanksgiving

The Pilgrims' Thanksgiving is a significant part of American history, commemorating the harvest feast shared in 1621 between the Pilgrims of the Plymouth Colony and the Wampanoag Indigenous people. While it is primarily associated with American Thanksgiving, its themes of gratitude, survival and cooperation resonate widely.

In 1620, a group of English Puritans seeking religious freedom sailed aboard the Mayflower to the New World. They landed at Plymouth Rock (now Massachusetts) and established the Plymouth Colony.

The first winter was harsh, with nearly half of the settlers perishing from cold, disease, and malnutrition. The survivors were aided by the Wampanoag people, who taught them crucial survival skills, including planting corn, fishing, and hunting.

In autumn 1621, the Pilgrims celebrated a successful harvest, marking their first year of survival in the New World. The Wampanoag, led by Chief Massasoit, joined the three-day feast, contributing to the celebration.

The feast symbolizes the Pilgrims' gratitude for survival, a successful harvest, and the assistance of the Wampanoag. It highlights the brief period of mutual respect and collaboration between the settlers and Indigenous peoples.

While Thanksgiving as a national holiday was formally established in the 19th century, the story of the Pilgrims' Thanksgiving became central to its narrative.