Thanksgiving Day: Meaning, History, & Facts
Thanksgiving Day is a yearly national holiday in the United States and Canada that celebrates the harvest and other blessings from the past year. It is widely believed that the American Thanksgiving is inspired by a 1621 feast shared by the Pilgrims, European colonists of Plymouth, and the Wampanoag people.
Historical Origins
Early settlers in New England and Canada regularly observed “thanksgivings,” which were days of prayer for blessings such as safe journeys, military victories, or bountiful harvests.
Americans trace their holiday back to the 1621 harvest feast between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag. Meanwhile, Canadians look to 1578 when Martin Frobisher’s expedition held a thanksgiving for safe passage.
Modern Celebrations
- In the United States, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November, as established by a 1941 joint resolution of Congress and a proclamation by President Franklin D.
- In Canada, Thanksgiving has been observed since 1957 on the second Monday in October.
- Families and friends in both countries gather for meals and festivities during this time.
Traditional Foods
American Thanksgiving meals typically feature turkey, cranberries, and pumpkin pie.
"Thanksgiving Day is an annual national holiday in the United States and Canada celebrating the harvest and other blessings of the past year."
Author’s summary: Thanksgiving Day unites families in the US and Canada to honor annual blessings, rooted in historical harvest feasts shared between indigenous peoples and European settlers.