Why Do Americans Celebrate Thanksgiving?

Summary

Thanksgiving, celebrated on the third Thursday of November in the U.S., has roots dating back to 1621 when Pilgrims held a harvest feast in Plymouth. This festival, originally a communal celebration with Native Americans, transformed into a national holiday through proclamations by presidents over the centuries, particularly under Lincoln in 1863. Despite its festive reputation, the holiday is contentious for many Native Americans, who see it as a reminder of colonial displacement. As such, Thanksgiving embodies both a celebration of gratitude and a complex historical legacy.

Takeaways

• 😀 Thanksgiving is celebrated on the third Thursday of November in the United States.
• 🍂 The holiday has roots in the 1621 harvest celebration by the Pilgrims in Plymouth, Massachusetts.
• 🦃 The first Thanksgiving involved sharing a feast with the Wampanoag Native Americans, featuring cod, lobster, and deer.
• 📜 Thanksgiving was proclaimed a national holiday by President George Washington in 1789.
• ⚖️ The holiday became a federal holiday in 1863 under President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War.
• 📅 Franklin D. Roosevelt standardized Thanksgiving's timing in 1939.
• 🙏 Thanksgiving is seen by many as a day to express gratitude to God for blessings.
• 🚫 Some Native Americans oppose Thanksgiving, viewing it as a celebration of colonial oppression and displacement.
• 🥳 The holiday features traditional foods such as turkey, stuffing, and vegetables, though this evolved over time.
• 🗣️ Discussions around Thanksgiving continue, with varying perspectives on its significance and historical implications.

Q & A

What is Thanksgiving and when is it celebrated in the United States?

Thanksgiving is a national holiday celebrated in the United States on the third Thursday of November.

What are the origins of Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving originated in 1621 when Pilgrims in Plymouth, Massachusetts, held a feast to celebrate their harvest and invited the Wampanoag Native Americans to join.

What foods were part of the original Thanksgiving feast?

The original feast included foods such as cod, lobster, deer, and goose, rather than the turkey and stuffing commonly associated with modern celebrations.

When was Thanksgiving officially recognized as a national holiday?

Thanksgiving was officially recognized as a national holiday in 1863 when President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed it during the Civil War.

What role did President Franklin D. Roosevelt play in the establishment of Thanksgiving?

President Franklin D. Roosevelt solidified the modern timing and dates of Thanksgiving in 1939, addressing previous controversies regarding its celebration.

What is the significance of Thanksgiving for Americans today?

Thanksgiving serves as a time for Americans to gather with family and friends, express gratitude, and celebrate culinary traditions.

What are some contemporary views regarding Thanksgiving from Native Americans?

Many Native Americans oppose the celebration of Thanksgiving, viewing it as a commemoration of the displacement and suffering of their ancestors due to colonial actions.

How did Thanksgiving celebrations change over the years?

Thanksgiving celebrations evolved from a three-day harvest festival in 1621 to a national holiday with specific traditions, including the modern feast featuring turkey and stuffing.

What prompted President George Washington to declare Thanksgiving?

President George Washington made a proclamation to celebrate Thanksgiving in 1789, recognizing the day as a time for giving thanks.

Why is Thanksgiving compared to Christmas and Halloween in American culture?

Thanksgiving is regarded with equal importance as Christmas and Halloween, as it embodies family gatherings, gratitude, and cultural traditions in American society.