Thanksgiving is a national holiday celebrated primarily in the United States and Canada to give thanks for the harvest and other blessings of the past year, with its origins going back to 1621 in Plymouth, Massachusetts, involving the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag people.

Key Historical Facts

• The first Thanksgiving occurred in 1621 and lasted three days, with about 90 Wampanoag and 50 Pilgrims sharing a harvest feast.

• It was intended as a celebration of survival and unity after a successful harvest, with the Wampanoag people teaching the Pilgrims essential farming and hunting skills.

• Turkey was likely absent from the first Thanksgiving meal; instead, venison, duck, goose, oysters, lobster, and fish were served along with native fruits and vegetables like pumpkins and cranberries.

• The holiday’s establishment as a national tradition was due largely to the efforts of Sarah Josepha Hale, who campaigned for it during the 19th century, eventually leading to President Abraham Lincoln declaring a national holiday in 1863.

Modern Celebrations

• In the U.S., Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November, while in Canada it falls on the second Monday in October.

• The typical modern Thanksgiving involves gathering with family, sharing a meal (usually with turkey as the centerpiece), and expressing gratitude for life's blessings.

• Parades, football games, and acts of charity like donating food to the needy are common traditions associated with the holiday.

Fun and Unique Facts

• Thanksgiving originally involved days of religious fasting and prayer, not just feasting.

• Only five women are believed to have attended the first Thanksgiving celebration.

• There was no pumpkin pie or cranberry sauce at the first feast due to a lack of flour, butter, and proper ovens.

• Cranberries, an iconic Thanksgiving food, have a unique trait: ripe cranberries will bounce.

• Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving in October as a harvest festival with a strong emphasis on community togetherness.

Global Perspective

• Variations of Thanksgiving or harvest festivals are found worldwide, such as Germany’s Erntedankfest and India’s Pongal, each reflecting gratitude and community spirit.

Thanksgiving has evolved from a harvest celebration rooted in gratitude, tradition, and myth into a national day of togetherness and thankfulness with widespread cultural significance.