Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on the 4th Thursday of November. In America, it is time of turkeys, stuffing and pumpkin pie. A time of Indian corn, holiday parades and giant ballons.
In the USA, in 1621 after a hard and devastating first year in the New World, the Pilgrim´s fall harvest was very successful and plentiful. They found they had enough food to put away for the winter. Their governor proclaimed a day of Thanksgiving that was to be shared by all the colonists and the native American Indians.
The custom of an annually celebrated Thanksgiving, held after the harvest, continued through the years. During the American Revolution (1770´s), a day of national Thanksgiving was suggested by the Continental Congress. In 1817 New York State adopted this day as an annual custom and by the middle of 19th century many other states also celebrated a Thanksgiving Day.
The turkey has become the most well-known symbol of Thanksgiving Day. The American traditions of this day revolve around a huge meal, usually with turkey as the centrepiece. A special prayer of thanks precedes the meal and in many homes, family members will mention something they are very thankful for.
Thanksgiving is a time for families to create traditions and memories that last a lifetime. Nowadays in the United States they celebrate Thanksgiving Day with parades, football and the start of the Christmas shopping season.
