The Thanksgiving that Americans (and Canadians) celebrate today is a combination of two very different New England traditions: the purely religious day of thankful prayer and the harvest feast. The harvest feast is still celebrated and, to a much lesser extent, the religious aspect is celebrated too.
Thanksgiving Day began with the Pilgrim immigrants to New England in 1621, celebrating their first successful harvest. The local Native American tribe – the Wampanoag – that lived there were very peaceful, without a warrior class or even a tradition of warfare, and they interacted peacefully with the Pilgrim settlers.
The early settlers had many disastrous crop harvests. That is why in years when there were good harvests the Pilgrims and other later settlers were so grateful. It became a tradition to celebrate with thanks given during a major feast.
Early Thanksgivings were proclaimed by the individual governors of the colonies on a day of their choosing. There was no national holiday, and the dates of celebration differed among the colonies.
The first national Thanksgiving was proclaimed in gratitude for the American victory at Saratoga in 1777. The Continental Congress set aside Thursday, December 18th, that «the good people may express the grateful feelings of their hearts, and consecrate themselves to the service of their divine benefactor.»
Thanksgiving is now celebrated on the fourth Thursday of every November. This year that date is November 27th. On that day, American families will pile their plates high with roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, cranberry sauce, apple pie, pecan pie, and especially pumpkin pie, as they have every year in celebration.
Thanksgiving has become a major holiday and very commercial. Major films are released during this long weekend (Thursday to Monday morning) holiday and major sporting events such as American football occur during this time. Friends and family also send or give one another greeting cards. It is also one of the busiest times of the year for air and ground travel as families across America reunite for a Thanksgiving feast.
TheMacy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is an annualparadepresented by the U.S. chain store businessMacy’s. The tradition started in 1924,tying it for the second-oldest Thanksgiving parade in the United States along withAmerica’s Thanksgiving ParadeinDetroit, with both parades four years younger than the6abc Dunkin’ Donuts Thanksgiving Day ParadeinPhiladelphia. The three-hour Macy’s event is held inNew York CitystartingonThanksgiving Day, and has been televised nationallysince 1952.
Thanksgiving has also given rise to some outrageous activities, such as Turkey Bowling, where frozen turkeys are used as bowling balls. Animal rights activists have objected to this practice.
But, overall, the Classic American holiday brings families numerous benefits when the science behind gratitude is understood. Gratitude has the strongest link with mental well-being, increases spiritualism and self-esteem, and makes you 25% happier!
As Cicero said, “Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others».
Thanksgiving is truly the most important of American holidays because, more than even Christmas or the Fourth of July, it is a time when American families reunite, express gratitude for one another, and feel closer to one another than at any other time. It is a rare American who does not have fond childhood memories of Thanksgiving Day.
Mr. Scott Tips, culture&sens, 2014.
FAQs
Thanksgiving is truly the most important of American holidays because, more than even Christmas or the Fourth of July, it is a time when American families reunite, express gratitude for one another, and feel closer to one another than at any other time.
Why is Thanksgiving the most important holiday in the United States? ›
Thanksgiving in the United States is a time to gather with family and friends, share a traditional meal and express gratitude for the good things in life. It can also be a time of service to others in the community. Celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November, Thanksgiving traces its origins to harvest festivals.
What is the importance Thanksgiving Day? ›
The New England colonists were accustomed to regularly celebrating “Thanksgivings,” days of prayer thanking God for blessings such as military victory or the end of a drought. The U.S. Continental Congress proclaimed a national Thanksgiving upon the enactment of the Constitution, for example.
Why do Americans value Thanksgiving? ›
Initially a regional holiday celebrated primarily in New England, it was promoted as a national holiday in 1863 to ease Civil War tensions and to promote the importance of gratitude. Thanksgiving encouraged pride in American values, domesticity, and emphasized unity and nationalism.
Why is US Thanksgiving such a big deal? ›
The modern day Thanksgiving Day in the U.S. is a federal holiday for Americans to give thanks as the Pilgrims did with their Native American neighbors after their first harvest in Plymouth (now in Massachusetts) in November 1621.
What is the real meaning of Thanksgiving? ›
Thanksgiving in the USA is meant to bring family and friends together over a big meal to express gratitude and thanks. Historically, the holiday commemorates the unity of the Pilgrims and the Native Americans, who gathered together in 1621 for a feast symbolizing peace and goodwill between their cultures.
What is the best message for Thanksgiving? ›
Happy Thanksgiving Greetings For Everyone
- Here's a heartwarming thanks to you for the hope, peace and joy that you bring to my life.
- Hope that you're surrounded with the love of your dear ones on this festive season. ...
- I'm really glad that we're family. ...
- Thanksgiving wishes from across the miles from our house to yours.
Psalm 69 tells us that thanksgiving honors and magnifies God, celebrating all that He is and the wonderful things He does. *Thanksgiving is a sacrifice on the altars of our hearts. At times, we won't feel thankful, but it is in those moments that grateful hearts will become the most pleasing sacrifices to the Lord.
What does Thanksgiving do for US? ›
Thanksgiving and praise brings God on the scene, puts challenges in perspective, focuses your mind on God, strengthens your faith in Him and allows you to combat negative spiritual forces that come against you.
Why are we grateful on Thanksgiving? ›
Acknowledging the good that other people have done for us also takes us out of ourselves and lets us appreciate others. The people who show their love and support for us could be parents, spouses, children, siblings, grandparents, friends, mentors, supervisors — any source of good and joy in our lives.
Common Thanksgiving Hazards
Increased travel: The holiday season witnesses a significant increase in road travel as individuals embark on journeys to reunite with family and friends. This surge in vehicular movement can result in a higher incidence of accidents on the road.
Is Thanksgiving America's favorite holiday? ›
A recent YouGov survey asked Americans how much they enjoy some of the major holidays in the U.S., relative to an average day. Christmas and Thanksgiving are widely popular and many people's favorites. Many also enjoy Halloween, Easter, and New Year's Day, though few name any as their favorite day.
Who made Thanksgiving a national holiday? ›
President Abraham Lincoln had declared Thanksgiving a national holiday on the last Thursday in November in 1863 and tradition dictated that it be celebrated on the last Thursday of that month.
Why do the USA celebrate Thanksgiving? ›
Why do people celebrate Thanksgiving? Thanksgiving can be traced back to 1621, when refugees from England, known as Pilgrims, invited the local Native American Wampanoag people to a harvest feast after they had a successful crop season.
What is the number one holiday in the United States? ›
Christmas and Thanksgiving are widely popular and many people's favorites. Many also enjoy Halloween, Easter, and New Year's Day, though few name any as their favorite day. Majorities like President's Day, St. Patrick's Day, and Martin Luther King Day about as much as any other day.
What is Thanksgiving ranked among America's favorite holiday? ›
According to a survey conducted in the second quarter of 2023, Thanksgiving had a popularity rating of 79 percent, followed by Memorial Day and Christmas with 78 percent. Other favorite holidays among Americans, including both national and religious events, are Father's Day, Veterans Day, and Mother's Day.
Is Thanksgiving a bigger holiday in the US than Christmas? ›
But before you dive headfirst into those epic sales, let's chat about Thanksgiving traditions, what goes down on the big day, and what to do if you snag an invite. Here's the deal: Thanksgiving is the BIGGEST holiday in the United States, even bigger than Christmas.
TheMacy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is an annualparadepresented by the U.S. chain store businessMacy’s. The tradition started in 1924,tying it for the second-oldest Thanksgiving parade in the United States along withAmerica’s Thanksgiving ParadeinDetroit, with both parades four years younger than the6abc Dunkin’ Donuts Thanksgiving Day ParadeinPhiladelphia. The three-hour Macy’s event is held inNew York CitystartingonThanksgiving Day, and has been televised nationallysince 1952.