Thanksgiving Day: Meaning, History, and Facts
Thanksgiving Day is a yearly national holiday celebrated in both the United States and Canada to express gratitude for the harvest and blessings of the past year.
Origins of the Holiday
The American Thanksgiving tradition is commonly believed to have originated with a 1621 harvest feast shared by the English colonists of Plymouth, known as the Pilgrims, and the Wampanoag people. In this early gathering, both groups came together to celebrate a successful harvest.
Canadians trace their earliest thanksgiving observance to 1578, when an expedition led by Martin Frobisher offered thanks for a safe Atlantic crossing. This event laid the foundation for the Canadian holiday that evolved later.
Historical Development
Throughout early North American history, communities in New England and Canada observed various thanksgiving days, setting aside time for prayer to mark safe journeys, military victories, or plentiful harvests.
In the United States, Congress established the modern date of Thanksgiving in 1941, setting it for the fourth Thursday in November, a decision affirmed by a proclamation from President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Since 1957, Canada has celebrated Thanksgiving on the second Monday in October.
Modern Traditions
Today, Thanksgiving in both countries remains a time for family and friends to gather and share a festive meal. Traditional American dishes often include roasted turkey, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie, symbolizing 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
Thanksgiving Day honors gratitude and harvest traditions, uniting families across the United States and Canada in timeless celebration every autumn.