The History of Thanksgiving

The First Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a national holiday celebrated in the United States and Canada as a day of giving thanks for the blessings of the year. Its roots can be traced back to 1621 when the colonists in Plymouth, Massachusetts held a feast to celebrate a successful harvest after a year of hardship. They were joined by Wampanoag Native Americans who provided them with food and taught them farming techniques. The feast lasted three days and is considered to be the first Thanksgiving celebration in America.

Thanksgiving Becomes a National Holiday

Thanksgiving did not become an official national holiday until nearly 200 years later in 1863 when President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed it as a national annual holiday to be celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. The holiday was meant to unite the country in the midst of the Civil War and to promote a sense of gratitude and thanksgiving for the nation's blessings.

Modern Day Thanksgiving

Today, Thanksgiving is celebrated with family and friends gathering together for a traditional meal that usually includes roasted turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. Football games and parades are also popular Thanksgiving traditions. It is a time to reflect on the blessings of the past year and give thanks for the good things in life. It is a day to express gratitude, share love, and give back to those less fortunate.