Thanksgiving is a beloved holiday steeped in history and tradition, originating as a harvest festival and evolving into a global celebration of gratitude. It is celebrated on November 28. While it remains most prominent in the United States and Canada, other countries have embraced similar festivities, reflecting the universal value of giving thanks.
History and Significance
Thanksgiving traces its origins to 1621 in Plymouth, Massachusetts, where Pilgrims and the Wampanoag people shared a feast to celebrate a successful harvest. This act of unity and gratitude, despite underlying complexities of colonialism and Native American histories, laid the foundation for the holiday.
In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed Thanksgiving a national holiday in the United States, designating the last Thursday of November as a time for reflection and unity during the Civil War. Similarly, Canada observes Thanksgiving on the second Monday of October, rooted in early harvest festivals and European traditions brought by settlers.
The holiday’s essence transcends its historical beginnings, symbolising gratitude, family, and togetherness.
Countries That Celebrate Thanksgiving
While Thanksgiving is most associated with the U.S. and Canada, other nations have adopted similar celebrations:
• Liberia: Observes Thanksgiving in November, reflecting its historical ties to the US.
• Germany: Celebrates Erntedankfest, a harvest festival with a religious focus, in early October.
• Japan: Marks Labour Thanksgiving Day on November 23, for workers and labour rights.
• The Netherlands: Honours the Pilgrims' departure to America with a church service in Leiden.
Thanksgiving Celebrations
Families continue classic traditions on Thanksgiving, gathering for turkey feasts, pumpkin pie, and cranberry sauce. Parades, such as Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, with floats, balloons, and performances is a key attraction.
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