Thanksgiving is a cherished holiday in the United States, observed annually on the fourth Thursday of November. While it is widely associated with feasting, family gatherings, and gratitude, the holiday’s roots delve deep into history, culture, and traditions that have evolved over centuries.
What is Thanksgiving and Why is it Celebrated?
Thanksgiving is a national holiday in the United States, symbolizing gratitude for the harvest and blessings of the past year. It brings people together to reflect on their fortunes and spend time with loved ones.
The origins of Thanksgiving trace back to 1621, when Pilgrims in Plymouth, Massachusetts, celebrated a successful harvest with the help of the Wampanoag Indians. This event, regarded as the “First Thanksgiving,” marked a rare instance of collaboration between the Pilgrims and Native Americans, although its legacy is complex due to later conflicts. Over time, the day became a symbol of unity and gratitude.
By the 19th century, Thanksgiving was unofficially celebrated in various states. In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed it a national holiday during the Civil War, emphasizing national unity. Its current date, the fourth Thursday of November, was officially set in 1941 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Congress.
Why Is Thanksgiving on the Fourth Thursday of November?
The decision to celebrate Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November is rooted in a mix of historical tradition, economic considerations, and cultural needs. Initially, Thanksgiving was not observed on a fixed date. By the 19th century, states celebrated it on varying days, leading to inconsistency across the nation. President Abraham Lincoln played a pivotal role in 1863 when he declared Thanksgiving a national holiday to be celebrated on the last Thursday of November. His intention was to unify the country during the Civil War and provide a sense of solace amidst the turmoil.
Fast forward to the 20th century, President Franklin D. Roosevelt attempted to alter the established date during the Great Depression in 1939. His proposal to move Thanksgiving to the third Thursday of November aimed to extend the holiday shopping season, which was seen as a way to boost the struggling economy. The retail sector supported the move, but it faced widespread backlash from the public and some state governments, who were attached to the traditional date.
The controversy became known as “Franksgiving” and highlighted the tension between economic priorities and cultural traditions. By 1941, to resolve the confusion and preserve national unity, Congress passed a law designating Thanksgiving as the fourth Thursday of November. This fixed date has been observed ever since, ensuring consistency and preserving both the historical and economic significance of the holiday.
How Is Thanksgiving Celebrated?
Family Gatherings and Feasting
Thanksgiving is synonymous with hearty meals shared among family and friends. A traditional Thanksgiving dinner includes turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. According to estimates, about 90% of Americans partake in the turkey tradition, making it the centerpiece of the feast.
Thanksgiving Day Parades
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City is an iconic event, featuring giant balloons, floats, and performances. It draws millions of viewers, both in person and on television, marking the unofficial start of the holiday season.
Acts of Kindness
Many Americans observe the holiday by donating food, volunteering, and supporting charities. This spirit of giving reflects the gratitude at the heart of Thanksgiving.
Presidential Turkey Pardon
A lighter tradition, the Presidential Turkey Pardon, takes place at the White House. Each year, the President pardons a turkey, sparing it from being served at the dinner table and sending it to live on a farm or sanctuary.
Thanksgiving’s Historical Legacy
Thanksgiving’s origins date back to the early 17th century, when Pilgrims and Native Americans shared a harvest feast in 1621 in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The Pilgrims, who had fled religious persecution in England, endured a harsh first winter, with many succumbing to illness and starvation. The Wampanoag Indians, led by Chief Massasoit, extended a hand of friendship, teaching the Pilgrims vital agricultural techniques that improved their chances of survival.
The resulting feast, often referred to as the “First Thanksgiving,” was a three-day celebration that included both Pilgrims and Wampanoag. While it is often romanticized as a harmonious gathering of cultures, the true nature of the event is more complex. The Pilgrims viewed the feast as a religious gesture of thanks to God, while the Wampanoag likely saw it as a diplomatic act to strengthen alliances.
As Thanksgiving evolved into a national holiday, the broader narrative often overlooked the struggles and conflicts that followed. The peaceful collaboration celebrated in 1621 was overshadowed in later years by violence, displacement, and broken treaties as European settlers expanded across the continent. For many Native Americans, Thanksgiving is a reminder of the hardships their ancestors faced, leading some to observe it as a National Day of Mourning.
This duality makes Thanksgiving a multifaceted holiday. It is a time for gratitude and family for many, but it also serves as an opportunity for reflection on the complexities of history, cultural resilience, and the importance of honoring Indigenous perspectives. Today, Thanksgiving is not only about its historical roots but also about embracing its core values of gratitude, unity, and the power of community.
Thanksgiving 2024: A Day of Gratitude
This year, Thanksgiving will be observed on Thursday, November 28, 2024, the latest possible date. As families come together to celebrate, the holiday’s enduring values of gratitude, togetherness, and giving continue to resonate. Thanksgiving remains not only a day to honor historical traditions but also a chance to create new memories while reflecting on the importance of gratitude in daily life.
