Thanksgiving Day in the United States

Date: Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November every year.

History: The origins of Thanksgiving date back to 1621 when Pilgrims at Plymouth Plantation in Massachusetts shared a meal with Wampanoag Indians to celebrate the harvest. This feast is commonly regarded as the first Thanksgiving. It was not until 1863, during the Civil War, that President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of "Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens," to be celebrated on the last Thursday in November. In 1941, Congress passed a law officially making it the fourth Thursday in November.

Traditions:

• Feasting: Central to the celebration is a feast that traditionally includes turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin pie.
• Parades: Parades are held across the country. The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City is one of the largest and most famous.
• Football: Watching NFL football games is a popular tradition on Thanksgiving Day.
• Volunteering: Many people take part in volunteer work or charity activities to help those less fortunate on this day.

Activities:

• Families and friends gather for a meal that serves as the centerpiece of the day's celebrations.
• People often travel long distances to be with loved ones.
• Some reflect on what they are thankful for and may say prayers of thanks before or after their meal.
• The holiday weekend also marks the beginning of the holiday shopping season with Black Friday following Thanksgiving Day.