Thanksgiving day
America’s Thanksgiving holiday, born in the 1500s, legendarily dating back to 1621, and celebrated even during the bleakest hours of the Civil War, now stands as one of the nation’s most anticipated and loved days — each year.
Celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November (November 23, 2023). Perhaps no other non-sectarian holiday has more tradition.
Family, friends, food, and football have come to symbolize Thanksgiving—a rare festive holiday without an established gift-giving component. Instead, the day urges us all to be grateful for the things that we have
History of Thanksgiving
This story doesn’t need to begin with the pilgrims.
Evidence shows that Spanish explorers and settlers held thanksgiving services in Florida and New Mexico in the late 1500s. Thanksgiving also took place as early as 1607 in what became the Commonwealth of Virginia, with the first permanent settlement of Jamestown in 1610.
The ‘First’ Thanksgiving
It was not until a decade later that Plymouth settlers, known as the Pilgrims, arrived in the New World.
They celebrated in Plymouth for three days after their first harvest in 1621. The gathering consisted of 50 people who had been on the Mayflower (all but 100 who had landed) and 90 Native Americans.
The feast was cooked by four adult Pilgrim women who had survived their first winter in the New World, along with young daughters and other servants.
Revolutionary Times
During the war, the Continental Congress appointed one or more Thanksgiving days each year, each time recommending the observance of these days in their states to the officials of the various states. In December 1777, George Washington, the leader of the Revolutionary forces, proclaimed Thanksgiving a victory festival honoring the British defeat at Saratoga.
The Continental Confederation Congress, the legislative body that governed the United States from 1774 to 1789, issued several “national days of prayer, obeisance, and thanksgiving”. This would eventually manifest itself in the established American rituals of Thanksgiving and today’s National Day of Prayer.
In 1789, Congressman Elias Boudinot from New Jersey proposed that the House and Senate jointly ask President Washington to declare a day of thanksgiving for “the many sign favors of Almighty God”.
Washington then created the first US government-mandated Thanksgiving Day. It read in part: “Now therefore I recommend and that Thursday the 26th day of November may be dedicated by your people to the service of that great and glorious One, who is the beneficent author of all goodness, He is, or will be.
The holiday would remain inconsistent for decades.
Civil war era
President Lincoln declared a national Thanksgiving Day in 1863, to be celebrated on November 26 – the last Thursday of the month. Secretary of State William H. Seward wrote the proclamation which read in part:
“Amid a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which at times seems to invite and provoke foreign states to invade, peace has been maintained with all nations, the order has been maintained, the laws of They have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theater of military conflict.
“Therefore I invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and those who are at sea and those who are living in foreign lands, to set them apart and celebrate the last Thursday of November next as the day of Thanksgiving and To celebrate, praise our benevolent Father who lives in heaven.
America has celebrated Thanksgiving ever since
Future presidents followed Lincoln’s example of declaring Thanksgiving to be the last Thursday in November. But in 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared the fourth Thursday of November as Thanksgiving instead of the fifth.
FDR thought an earlier Thanksgiving would give merchants a longer period to sell goods before Christmas—and help lift the country out of recession. The 1942 law—making the fourth Thursday a federal holiday—has stood ever since.
Thanksgiving Day 2023
In fact, in the spirit of gratitude and thankfulness this Thanksgiving, See has created shareable “thank you” cards to help you express your gratitude to all the special people in your life.
Thanksgiving will be a little different this year. Americans will travel less and spend less time with family, making it more important than ever to find some new and creative ways to express what they’re grateful for.
These cards each contain themed messages that can be shared with your family and friends this Thanksgiving. Simply choose a message and tag whoever in your life you want to share it with. You can even add a custom note to the social post to make the card even more special.
Thanksgiving traditions
A family-friendly feast
When we think of Thanksgiving food, some delicious dishes come to mind. Macaroni, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and most importantly: a beautifully cooked, juicy, and huge turkey!
Although these are the traditional dishes eaten at a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, there’s room to freestyle. Some switch out turkey or ham, beef, or even salmon! while others may include side dishes specific to their culture.
We often wonder why dinner arrives so early on this day than the rest of the year, but it seems it all comes down to convenience.
An earlier dinner time accommodates guests who are traveling from afar, allows your stomach more time to digest a larger meal, and allows the more sporty bunch to enjoy a family game of football, baseball, soccer, or basketball. Let’s get some exercise through.
The parade
Since 1924, New York has been home to the famous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. It is tied with America’s Thanksgiving Parade in Detroit for the second oldest Thanksgiving parade.
The three-hour parade is held in Manhattan and televised nationally by NBC since 1952. Earlier, it was covered through radio broadcasts. The parade airs from 9 a.m. to 12 noon and is where many families begin their Thanksgiving festivities.
The parade is accompanied by marching school bands, popular children’s characters, celebrity musicians, actors, and socialites with giant balloon floats. Broadway performers also participate by singing a popular number from their current running show.
Wishbone
Some families include breaking the turkey’s wishbone as part of their annual tradition. This occurs after the meal has been completed and the turkey meat has been cleaned from the bone.
The wishbone, which is found attached to the breast meat within the turkey breast, is set aside to dry. Once it becomes brittle, two people grasp either side of the bone, wish and pull. Whoever breaks the longer arm gets their wish!
Thanksgiving FAQ
Why is Thanksgiving so late?
Future presidents followed Lincoln’s example of declaring Thanksgiving to be the last Thursday in November. But in 1939, President Franklin Roosevelt declared the fourth Thursday of November as Thanksgiving instead of the fifth.
FDR thought an earlier Thanksgiving would give merchants a longer period to sell goods before Christmas—and help lift the country out of recession. The 1942 law—making the fourth Thursday a federal holiday—has stood ever since.
Why is Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday?
President Franklin Roosevelt declared the fourth Thursday of November as Thanksgiving instead of the fifth. FDR thought an earlier Thanksgiving would give merchants a longer period to sell goods before Christmas—and help lift the country out of recession.
What week number is Thanksgiving 2022?
Thanksgiving is on week number 47.
Thanksgiving activities
Volunteer
Before sitting down to enjoy a nice hot meal at home, invite the family to join you in serving the community by volunteering at a local shelter. It’s a great way to give back to those less fortunate and provides an opportunity for the whole family to do something good.
Bake a pie
Pies are one of the classic Thanksgiving staples. Pecans, pumpkin, apples, cherries – you really can’t go wrong. Preheat the oven, put on the apron, and start cooking!
Start a Take-Out Tradition
Cooking a Thanksgiving meal can take hours. Many restaurants serve Thanksgiving dinner. Or start a new tradition by ordering take-out! It could be the Chinese restaurant down the street, Indian curry, or even your favorite pizza place. And well tipped! It’s a day to be thankful.
5 Surprising Facts About Thanksgiving
Four cities named ‘Turkey’
In the United States, Turkey is the name of four different cities in Arizona, Texas, North Carolina, and Louisiana.
Burns a lot of calories
The average number of calories consumed during the Thanksgiving celebration is 4,500.
You Can Celebrate Thanksgiving in 17th-Century Style
If you want to experience Thanksgiving as it was in the 1600s, the part of Plymouth, Mass. is still more or less the same as it was then – tickets to the Thanksgiving celebration are bought months in advance.
First Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
There were no giant floats or balloons in the first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in the early 1920s.
46 million turkeys
Americans prepare an estimated 46 million turkeys for Thanksgiving feasts each year.
Why we love thanksgiving
Meal
A traditional Thanksgiving dinner typically includes turkey, mashed potatoes with gravy, buttered vegetables, warm pumpkin pie, and other indulgent foods. But honestly, anything goes. Vegetarian is also fine.
Family and friends
Thanksgiving is a time when friends and family gather to express gratitude. For some, it is an opportunity to be with a family that you don’t get to see often. For others, it is a time to bring all your friends together (Friends giving!) for food and fun.
Four day weekend
Americans look forward to their extended holiday weekend by the time Halloween ends. Thanksgiving Day begins a mini work/school holiday that also includes Black Friday and Small Business Saturday.
Thanksgiving dates
YEAR DATE DAY
- 2022 November 24 Thursday
- 2023 November 23 Thursday
- 2024 November 28 Thursday
- 2025 November 27 Thursday
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