Thanksgiving Day: Meaning, History, and Traditions
Thanksgiving Day is a yearly national holiday celebrated in both the United States and Canada to express gratitude for the harvest and the blessings of the year. The tradition reflects a long history of giving thanks for successful journeys, victorious battles, and plentiful harvests.
Origins of the Celebration
Many Americans trace the roots of their Thanksgiving holiday to a 1621 harvest feast shared by the English colonists, known as the Pilgrims, and the Wampanoag people in Plymouth. This event is often regarded as the foundation of the American Thanksgiving tradition.
Thanksgiving in the United States
In the United States, Thanksgiving became an official national holiday observed on the fourth Thursday in November. This date was established by a joint resolution passed by Congress in 1941 and later confirmed by a proclamation issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Thanksgiving in Canada
Canadians associate their earliest thanksgiving celebration with the year 1578, when an expedition led by Martin Frobisher offered thanks for safe passage through the Arctic. Since 1957, Canada has officially celebrated Thanksgiving on the second Monday in October.
Modern Celebrations
Across both countries, Thanksgiving brings together families and friends for a shared meal and reflection. Traditional American dishes often include turkey, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie, symbols of abundance and gratitude.
“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
This article traces the origins and evolution of Thanksgiving in both the U.S. and Canada, highlighting its roots in gratitude and shared cultural traditions.