Thanksgiving 2025: Date and Meaning
Thanksgiving 2025 falls on Thursday, November 27. This traditional American holiday is a time when families gather to share a meal, often featuring turkey, and express gratitude for the year gone by.
Historical Origins
Thanksgiving dates back over four centuries, originating as a harvest celebration to give thanks for food and survival. The first recorded event was in 1621, when Pilgrims in Plymouth, Massachusetts, held a feast to celebrate their successful harvest.
“Many people trace the origins of Thanksgiving all the way back to 1621, to the harvest celebration the Pilgrims held in Plymouth, Massachusetts.”
Development into a National Holiday
By the late 1600s, various communities in New England observed annual days of thanks. George Washington declared a national Thanksgiving in 1789, but it was President Abraham Lincoln in 1863 who officially designated it as a national holiday.
Date Variability and Traditions
Thanksgiving always occurs on the fourth Thursday of November, meaning the date shifts yearly between November 22 and November 28.
“Thanksgiving always falls on the fourth Thursday of November - it is never a fixed date.”
The day after Thanksgiving is Black Friday, which marks the unofficial start of the US holiday shopping season.
Modern Significance
While it began as a harvest festival, today Thanksgiving focuses on togetherness—bringing family, friends, and neighbors together for a shared meal and reflection.
Author’s summary: Thanksgiving, rooted in 17th-century harvest feasts, remains a cherished day for Americans to unite, give thanks, and celebrate with loved ones every fourth Thursday of November.