Thanksgiving did not become a national holiday until 1863, which was 242 years after the "first Thanksgiving" feast in 1621 between the Pilgrims and Wampanoag in Plymouth.

Timeline Details

• The original "first Thanksgiving" refers to a harvest celebration in autumn 1621.
• Although similar celebrations occurred regionally, Thanksgiving was not nationally recognized until President Lincoln’s proclamation in 1863.

• This means Thanksgiving became a national holiday 242 years after the historical event most associated with its origin.

Holiday Establishment

• President Lincoln established Thanksgiving as a recurring national holiday to promote unity during the Civil War.

• Later, Congress officially designated the fourth Thursday in November as Thanksgiving in 1941, formalizing the holiday’s date.

In summary, there was a gap of 242 years between the first Thanksgiving celebration and its recognition as a national holiday in the United States.