What is Thanksgiving? Check Its History, Significance and Trivia

In the fall of 1621, at least 90 Wampanoags and 52 Englishmen gathered in what is now Plymouth, Massachusetts, to celebrate the harvest. Today it is known as “The First Thanksgiving,” although no one called it by that name at the time. Since then, many assumptions have been made about Plymouth’s festival, and today’s traditions are based more on fiction than fact. Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November every year, and this year it is November 28. Thanksgiving is celebrated to give thanks for family, friends, food, health and other positive things. Some people include religious beliefs by expressing thanks through prayer, but Thanksgiving is a federal holiday that is celebrated nationwide. In modern times, this holiday symbolizes gratitude, peace and celebrating blessings.

meaning of thanksgiving

Earlier, people celebrated Thanksgiving to express their gratitude for the blessings and harvest of the year. Over time, it has become a way for people to come together and reflect on what they are grateful for. Known for expressing gratitude, Thanksgiving is not just a recognition of blessings but of the kindness that permeates every aspect of our lives.

It’s characterized by large family meals, often with turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie on the menu. Other traditions include parades, such as New York City’s world-famous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and charitable events such as donating food to those in need.

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A unique feature of Thanksgiving is the Presidential Turkey Pardon, where the sitting president pardons a turkey from the slaughter of a dinner. It all started when Lincoln let go of a turkey during his presidency at the request of his son Ted. However, the current version was formalized by President George H.W. Bush in 198934. Each year, one or two turkeys are pardoned and allowed to live out the rest of their lives on the farm.

Trivia about Thanksgiving

  • The First Thanksgiving: The 1621 feast included the Pilgrims and Native Americans sharing food, but its history is complicated due to subsequent conflicts between settlers and native peoples.
  • Thanksgiving Day Parades: One of the holiday’s signature event traditions, these parades have become an integral part of the holiday experience in many American cities, the most famous of which is the famous Macy’s Parade.
  • National Day of Mourning: For many Native Americans, Thanksgiving is a day of mourning as the event commemorates colonization and oppression.

    Thanksgiving is a day to reflect, give thanks, and spend time with loved ones. Despite its complicated history, it remains an occasion cherished by many around the world as an opportunity to celebrate blessings, family and community. As times change, festivals have become a precious opportunity for humans to express gratitude and goodwill to society.

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