Thanksgiving Day: Meaning, History, and Facts
Thanksgiving Day is an annual national holiday in the United States and Canada that celebrates the harvest and numerous blessings from the past year. It serves as a time for family and friends to come together for a meal and various festivities.
Origins and Historical Background
Americans generally trace their Thanksgiving tradition to a 1621 harvest feast shared by the European colonists (Pilgrims) of Plymouth and the Wampanoag people.
In early New England and Canada, “thanksgivings” were regularly held as days of prayer to give thanks for blessings such as safe journeys, military victories, or abundant harvests.
Canadians link their earliest thanksgiving to 1578, when an expedition led by Martin Frobisher held a ceremony to give thanks for a safe passage.
Modern Celebration Dates
- In the United States, Thanksgiving Day is observed on the fourth Thursday in November. This date was 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.
Traditional Customs and Foods
Both in Canada and the United States, family and friends gather on Thanksgiving for meals and celebrations. Common traditional foods in America include:
- Turkey
- Cranberries
- Pumpkin pie
“Americans model their holiday on a 1621 harvest feast shared between the Wampanoag people and the English colonists known as Pilgrims.”
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Summary
Thanksgiving Day is a longstanding North American holiday honoring gratitude and the harvest, observed with family gatherings and traditional meals rooted in 16th- and 17th-century historical events.