What is Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving is an annual national holiday celebrated primarily in the United States and Canada as a day of giving thanks for the blessing of the harvest and of the preceding year. In the U.S., it is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November, while in Canada, it is celebrated on the second Monday of October. The modern holiday is an opportunity for family and friends to gather, share a large meal, and express gratitude for the positive aspects of their lives.

The American holiday's traditions are rooted in a famous 1621 harvest feast shared by the English colonists (Pilgrims) of Plymouth and the Wampanoag people.. This event is often idealized as a symbol of peace and cooperation between Native Americans and early settlers. Over the centuries, this historical event became a powerful national symbol. President Abraham Lincoln officially established the last Thursday of November as a national Thanksgiving holiday during the Civil War in 1863, hoping to foster a sense of unity and gratitude across the divided nation..

Today, Thanksgiving is a secular holiday for most people, though its themes remain centered on gratitude and togetherness. The traditional meal is a central part of the celebration, typically featuring roasted turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie.. Beyond the feast, the holiday is often associated with watching parades (like the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade), American football games, and engaging in charitable acts, such as volunteering at food banks. It also marks the unofficial beginning of the winter holiday season, immediately followed by Black Friday, one of the busiest shopping days of the year.