Thanksgiving Day is a national holiday celebrated in the United States and Canada. In the United States, it is observed on the fourth Thursday of November; in Canada, it is celebrated on the second Monday of October. The day is marked by giving thanks for the blessings of the harvest and the preceding year.
Thanksgiving is typically celebrated with a festive meal that includes a roasted turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. It is a time when families and friends come together to express gratitude, share a meal, and enjoy each other’s company.
Apart from the traditional feasting, many people also take the opportunity to reflect on what they are thankful for and engage in acts of kindness, such as volunteering or helping those in need. Thanksgiving Day also marks the beginning of the holiday season in the United States, leading up to Christmas and New Year’s Day.
History of Thanksgiving Day
The history of Thanksgiving in the United States dates back to the early 17th century and is rooted in the story of the Pilgrims and their interactions with Native Americans. Here is an overview of the historical events that led to the establishment of Thanksgiving Day:
- Pilgrims and the Mayflower (1620): In 1620, a group of English Separatists, known as the Pilgrims, sailed across the Atlantic Ocean on the Mayflower for religious freedom. They arrived in what is now Plymouth, Massachusetts, in late 1620.
- Harsh Winter (1620-1621): The Pilgrims faced a harsh winter during which many died due to exposure, disease, and lack of food. The local Native American people, particularly the Wampanoag tribe, helped the Pilgrims by providing them with food, teaching them agricultural techniques, and helping them adapt to the new environment.
- First Thanksgiving (1621): In the fall of 1621, the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag came together for a three-day feast to celebrate their successful harvest and give thanks for their newfound friendship and cooperation. The menu is believed to have included venison, fowl, seafood, corn, beans, squash, and other foods.
- Thanksgiving as a Tradition: While the early colonists occasionally held days of Thanksgiving, it was in the American Revolution that the Continental Congress periodically issued proclamations for a day of Thanksgiving. After the Revolution, individual states continued the tradition, but it was not a national holiday.
- Sarah Josepha Hale’s Campaign: In the 19th century, Sarah Josepha Hale, an influential magazine editor and writer, campaigned for Thanksgiving to become a national holiday. She wrote letters to governors, senators, and presidents, urging them to establish a national Thanksgiving day.
- Abraham Lincoln’s Proclamation (1863): 1863, during the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln heeded Hale’s request and proclaimed Thanksgiving a national holiday. He declared that the last Thursday in November would be a day of “Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.”
- Thanksgiving Day Officially Established: In 1941, Congress officially established Thanksgiving Day as the fourth Thursday in November, where it remains today.
How to Celebrate Thanksgiving Day
Celebrating Thanksgiving Day often involves spending time with family and friends, expressing gratitude, and enjoying a festive meal. Here are some common ways to celebrate Thanksgiving:
- Family Gathering: Thanksgiving is a time for families to come together. Plan a gathering with family members, whether a large extended family or a smaller, intimate gathering.
- Feast: The centerpiece of Thanksgiving celebrations is the traditional feast. Prepare a meal that typically includes a roasted turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, and various side dishes. Don’t forget about dessert, with pumpkin pie being a classic choice.
- Express Gratitude: Take time to reflect on what you’re thankful for. Share your thoughts with others during a meal, or consider going around the table and having each person express what they are grateful for.
- Volunteer and Give Back: Thanksgiving is also a time to give back to the community. Consider volunteering at a local charity, food bank, or homeless shelter. Many organizations host special events and meals during the holiday season.
- Watch the Thanksgiving Day Parade: The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City is a famous tradition in the United States. You can watch the parade on television or attend it in person if you’re in the area.
- Watch Football: American football is often associated with Thanksgiving. Many families enjoy watching football games together at a stadium or on TV.
- Decorate your Home: Create a festive atmosphere by decorating your home with autumn-themed decor, such as pumpkins, gourds, and fall leaves. You can also use Thanksgiving-themed tablecloths, napkins, and centerpieces for your dinner table.
- Games and Activities: Plan fun games or activities for family and friends to enjoy together. This could include board games, charades, or other group activities.
- Create Traditions: Consider establishing or continuing family traditions, whether it’s a particular dish , a specific game played, or an annual activity.
- Connect Virtually: If you’re unable to be physically present with family and friends, consider celebrating Thanksgiving virtually through video calls. Share your mealtime, express gratitude, and connect with loved ones online.
Remember that the most important aspect of Thanksgiving is spending quality time with loved ones and expressing gratitude for the blessings in your life. The specific traditions and activities can vary based on personal preferences and cultural influences.
1. There was this farmer that every morning would wake up, and the first thing he would do is fart. Wet farts, dry farts, stinky farts, and especially loud farts. His wife would constantly tell him, “Honey, you really need to go to the doctor and have them look at that, one day, you’ll end up farting your guts out.” He rudely brushes her off every time and never goes to the doctor.
Along comes Thanksgiving day, and the wife gets up early in the morning to start preparing the big meal. She gets the turkey to start preparing it. She reaches inside to pull the innards out, and a lightbulb goes off in her head. Knowing that her husband is a heavy sleeper, she sneaks back into the bedroom with the turkey guts and slips them into his underwear. Giggling, she heads back to the kitchen and gets back to working on the dinner.
A while later, sure enough, she heard him let one rip she could hear it all the way in the kitchen. It’s immediately followed by a blood-curdling scream. She laughed to herself and went back to work. A short while later, her husband walks into the kitchen fairly proud of himself and says, “Honey, you were right, I should have gone to a doctor about that fart. Cause this morning I did fart my guts out.” Excitedly he held up two fingers and exclaimed, “But by god, with these two fingers, I got them back in!”
2. A guy walks into a bar and orders a beer. “How did Thanksgiving go at your place?” the bartender asks. “Oh, it went fine. I had a lot of family over, and the wife prepared the meal. I helped out, though. She got a little stressed out and told me she needed some peace and quiet in the kitchen so she could finish cooking,” the guy says. “So I removed all the batteries from the smoke detectors.”
3. Two IT workers get married…
At Thanksgiving, their family asks them, “When will you have children?”
Couple: “Don’t worry, we are working on it. ;)”
Next Thanksgiving, the couple still don’t have children, and their family asks, “Is there a problem? I thought you were planning to have children?”
Couple: “Ticket closed; unable to reproduce.”
Here’s how to deal with difficult personalities during the holidays.
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