Thanksgiving is a national holiday celebrated around the world that celebrates fall harvest and other blessings of the year. It is always on the fourth Thursday in November in the United States. Lots of countries celebrate it in their own way with different traditions. This holiday was created in 1621 when the Wampanoag people and the English colonists had a successful harvest, and shared a meal marked as the “First Thanksgiving”. It is a day of giving thanks, and colonists observed this holiday as a day of prayer for such blessings as safe journeys, military victories, or abundant harvests.
There are many other things to do around Thanksgiving outside of eating delicious food. There are races such as the Drumstick Dash, the Thanksgiving Day parade, watching fun movies like Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, and hosting Friendsgiving with your closest friends. Gretchen Swank (12) says, “I watch the Thanksgiving Day parade every Thanksgiving, and then I watch Charlie Brown Thanksgiving.” People also like to watch football on this holiday. Family customs and cultural influences cause variations in traditions and what people do on thanksgiving. Although some countries celebrate differently, the majority have festivals, a celebration of national roots, and a feast spent with family. “My plan for Thanksgiving is to hang out with my family and have dinner together. After that we are going to the lake to spend time together there with my sister,” says Swank.
Thanksgiving is also about making food to share with family and friends. Swank states, “I help my mom cook for everyone at my house, we are a ham family.” Many people either eat at home while family travels in to see them, or vice versa. “My family is coming over to my house and we are going to make food,” says Emmi Carter (11). Carter also states that mashed potatoes are her favorite Thanksgiving food. Of course, the main dishes are important for a great Thanksgiving, but desserts also play an important role. Pies are a very popular Thanksgiving dessert, especially pumpkin pie, but some families supply their own special recipe to the mix. “We make caramel cheesecake bars,” stated Carter.
Thanksgiving is more than just a holiday: it is tradition with diverse backgrounds and customs. From the classic turkey dinner to unique dishes, and from football games to spending time with family, each tradition adds something unique to the day. Thanksgiving traditions may differ, but the importance of the holiday remains the same.
