Thanksgiving Day – Harvest Festival

Thanksgiving or Thanksgiving Day a harvest festival is the most celebrated holiday in the United States of America, which falls on the fourth Thursday of November every year. It covers both religious and secular aspects as it is a harvest festival and also a festival with family. The USA Thanksgiving date differs from Thanksgiving Day in Canada as the USA celebrates it on the fourth of November while Canada celebrates it on the second Monday of October.

Thanksgiving is a very special time of year when we all give thanks for the wonderful things and people we have in our lives. Thanksgiving is the time when you and your loved ones share a delicious meal and appreciate all that you have. The meal usually has turkey, mashed potatoes, dressing, cranberry sauce, corn, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin pies, but many feasts differ between families and cultures.

History of Thanksgiving

The origins of Thanksgiving Day are believed to lie in a first harvest celebration held in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1621. The holiday is now celebrated in every town in America! This is a non-religious holiday that unites people across the country as they gather together to share food and give thanks for all they have.

Some of the original Europeans who settled in America were pilgrims who were called Puritans. They moved to America from England. Along with many other traditions these pilgrims brought with them a custom that included days of fasting and days of thanksgiving, which they practiced regularly. One group of Puritans from England traveled to America and had a very tough first winter in their new land.

In the first year, Puritans have a very good harvest and they decided to celebrate the harvest with a feast. The Puritans invited 91 Native Americans (Indians), who had helped them survive their first year and learn how to farm in a new land, to celebrate They had a three-day feast with the Native Americans. It is believed that the Puritans would not have made it through their first year without the help of the Indians.

A similar “thanksgiving” feast among the pilgrims and Indians did not happen again the following year. It was in 1676 when another day of thanksgiving was held. George Washington, the first president of the United States, proclaimed a National Day of Thanksgiving in 1789. In 1863 President Lincoln decided that the last Thursday in November would be a national day of Thanksgiving every year. Since then the fourth Thursday of November every year is celebrated as Thanksgiving day.

Also, Read Thanksgiving Day – Harvest festival around the world.

How the Holiday is celebrated

Thanksgiving dinner is held on this day with all family members gathered together. Family reunions and feasting are common as everyone offers prayers to God for His continuous grace.

Besides meals there are few more traditions held, Churches hold special thanksgiving services to thank God. It’s about reaping the benefits of the year’s work, efforts, and struggles. Many cities hold parades to honor Thanksgiving. In New York City Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is held which started in 1924 and is attended by two million people.

Thanksgiving is the start of the holiday season when we start buying for Christmas with Black Friday falling the next day. Thanksgiving day is a great time to plan what to buy on the following day. Black Friday has become a marketing sensation as it has become the busiest shopping day of the year. Promotions and sales arrive early with some special deals are available only in limited quantities. So shoppers camp out in front of stores early to grab those deals.

Then comes Cyber Monday which is the Monday following Black Friday when shoppers can take advantage of many online deals available in the market. Then the coming Tuesday is known as #Givingtuesday when communities and organizations are encouraged to give to charities and those in need.

Thanksgiving Observances

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