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 from the past year.
Origins and Historical Background
Many Americans trace their Thanksgiving tradition to a 1621 harvest feast shared between the Pilgrims, European colonists of Plymouth, and the Wampanoag people. Early colonists in New England and Canada regularly held days of prayer called “thanksgivings,” expressing gratitude for blessings such as safe journeys, military victories, or bountiful harvests.
Americans model their holiday on a 1621 harvest feast shared between the Wampanoag people and the English colonists known as Pilgrims.
In Canada, the earliest known Thanksgiving dates back to 1578 when an expedition led by Martin Frobisher gave thanks for a safe passage.
Date of Celebration
- In the United States, Thanksgiving Day is observed on the fourth Thursday of November, established by a 1941 congressional resolution and a presidential proclamation by Franklin D. Roosevelt.
- Since 1957, Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving on the second Monday of October.
Contemporary Traditions
In both countries, Thanksgiving is a time for family and friends to come together over meals featuring traditional dishes. Typical American fare includes turkey, cranberries, and pumpkin pie.
In both Canada and America, family and friends gather for a meal and other celebrations on Thanksgiving.
Author's summary: Thanksgiving is a cherished North American holiday stemming from early harvest celebrations, now marked by family gatherings and traditional meals in both the US and Canada.
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