Thanksgiving Day: Meaning, History, and Facts
Thanksgiving Day is an annual national holiday in the United States and Canada that honors the harvest and other blessings of the past year.
Origins and Historical Background
In the U.S., Thanksgiving is commonly linked to a 1621 harvest feast shared by the Pilgrims of Plymouth and the Wampanoag people. Early colonists in New England and Canada regularly held "thanksgivings," which were days of prayer for blessings like safe journeys, military victories, or abundant crops.
Canadians trace their earliest thanksgiving celebration back to 1578, when explorer Martin Frobisher and his crew expressed gratitude for a safe voyage.
Modern Celebration Dates
- In the United States, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November, established by a 1941 Congressional resolution and a proclamation by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
- Since 1957, Canada observes Thanksgiving on the second Monday of October.
Traditions
In both countries, families and friends come together for a festive meal. American traditional dishes often include turkey, cranberries, and pumpkin pie.
"Americans model their holiday on a 1621 harvest feast shared between the Wampanoag people and the English colonists known as Pilgrims."
Author's summary: Thanksgiving is a time-honored celebration in the US and Canada rooted in historic harvest feasts, marked today by family gatherings and traditional meals.