What is Thanksgiving? Why Do We Celebrate It and How?

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Thanksgiving is observed in western countries like America and Canada. In America, it is celebrated in the fourth Thursday of November and Canada, second Monday of October. It is one of the most dominant occasions there when families and friends gather together for a special meal, and the main attraction of the meal is Turkey. Thanksgiving plays a vital role in reuniting families and far flung friends; music, and dance reign supreme in a thanksgiving party. Some other mouth watering foods from a thanksgiving party are stuffing, potatoes, cranberry sauce, gravy, pumpkin pie, vegetables. Thanksgiving is held to give thanks for what people have achieved. It is meant to celebrate the new harvest.

In some cities, Thanksgiving parades are organised where people from around the city join feet to make this occasion a success. Thanksgiving allows you a four-day weekend, thus enabling you to visit your family and friends.

The Government offices, businesses, schools and other organizations are closed on the day which stretches up to four days. Transit remains a problem for common public during the four days as the public transit systems don’t function on routine timetables. This is the busiest period in the USA; making the roads clumsy and overcrowded. The local traffic is up a creek because of the busy football matches and seasonal parades.

Background:

Since the year 1863, Thanksgiving Day is continuing to be an annual holiday. The day that faced protests from the Native Americans in Massachusetts back in 1970. History claims that the world’s first Thanksgiving Day was held in El Paso, Texas in 1598. While the claim that the modern Thanksgiving Day being held by the Pilgrims in Plymouth to celebrate their new harvest in Massachusetts in 1621, also demands attention. The third claim says that the first Thanksgiving was held in the year 1623, where they thanked the rain that ended the drought.

Thereafter, in the second half of the 1600s, the festival rocketed to become an annual event being celebrated across the country. It was George Washington who proclaimed the first national Thanksgiving Day in 1789.

At a glance:

  1. It is an annual national holiday celebrated in the United States of America and Canada.
  2. The first Thanksgiving fiesta was taken place among the pilgrims and Indians in 1621 to celebrate the new harvest.
  3. The day is celebrated to tender thanks and to seek blessings for a fresh healthy harvest next year. It is about acknowledging kindness and you can thank anyone who helped in that light.
  4. Families and far flung friends reunite on the day to celebrate together.
  5. One of the key non-religious holidays in America and this doesn’t count out any race from its celebration.
  6. The feast is huge, ruled by Turkey and Pumpkin pie.
  7. This holiday is a breather for even the hardcore professionals.
  8. Thanksgiving is synonymous to three F’s for many Americans- Family, Food and Football.
  9. Considered as the largest travel day when people even trade a thousand kilometres to reach their loved ones for a meal.
  10. No presents are exchanged unlike Christmas and people from any religion can celebrate.

Upcoming thanksgiving dates:

Thursday

Nov 28, 2019

Thursday

Nov 26, 2020

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