🦃 Thanksgiving for Kids | 28 November | History of Thanksgiving | Twinkl USA

Summary

Thanksgiving is a North American holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. It originated in 1621 when the Pilgrims, who had fled religious persecution in England, held a feast with the Wampanoag tribe after a successful harvest. The Wampanoag, especially Squanto, helped the Pilgrims survive their harsh first winter. In 1863, President Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday, and it became officially set on the fourth Thursday by Roosevelt in 1942. Today, it is a time for families to gather, express gratitude, and enjoy traditional foods like turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie. While celebrating, it's important to acknowledge the complex history, including the unfair treatment of Native Americans.

Takeaways

• 😀 Thanksgiving is a national holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November in North America.
• 😀 The holiday is marked by family gatherings, cooking traditional dishes, and spending time together.
• 😀 The pilgrims were English Christians who came to America on the Mayflower in 1620 to escape religious persecution.
• 😀 The pilgrims struggled in their first year at Plymouth Colony but received help from the Native Wampanoag people, including Squanto, who taught them how to survive.
• 😀 The first Thanksgiving took place in 1621, where the pilgrims and Wampanoag shared a feast that lasted three days.
• 😀 The first Thanksgiving symbolizes friendship, survival, and gratitude between the pilgrims and Wampanoag tribe.
• 😀 Sarah Josepha Hale campaigned to make Thanksgiving a national holiday, which was officially declared by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863.
• 😀 In 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a proclamation to set Thanksgiving as the fourth Thursday in November.
• 😀 The Thanksgiving holiday is not only about gratitude but also acknowledges the complex history of Native American relations.
• 😀 Traditional Thanksgiving meals include turkey, sweet potato casserole, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie.
• 😀 Thanksgiving is a time for family and friends to come together, celebrate gratitude, and support others in need.

Q & A

What is the significance of Thanksgiving in North America?

Thanksgiving is a national holiday celebrated every year on the fourth Thursday in November in North America. It is a time for family and friends to gather, enjoy a traditional meal, and express gratitude.

What historical event led to the first Thanksgiving?

The first Thanksgiving occurred in 1621 after the pilgrims, who had endured a tough first year in Plymouth Colony, successfully harvested crops with the help of the Wampanoag tribe and celebrated with a feast.

Who were the Pilgrims and why did they come to America?

The Pilgrims were English Christians who came to America seeking religious freedom and to escape persecution in England.

How did the Pilgrims survive their first winter in America?

The Pilgrims struggled their first winter, but they received help from the Wampanoag tribe, especially Squanto, who taught them how to hunt, fish, and plant crops like corn.

What role did Squanto play in the survival of the Pilgrims?

Squanto, a member of the Wampanoag tribe, played a critical role in helping the Pilgrims survive their first winter by teaching them essential survival skills, including fishing and agriculture.

What happened during the first Thanksgiving in 1621?

During the first Thanksgiving, the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag tribe shared a feast that lasted three days, celebrating their successful harvest and the bond between the two groups.

Who was Massasoit and what role did he play in the Thanksgiving story?

Massasoit was the chief of the Wampanoag tribe, and in 1621, he reached out to the Pilgrims and provided them with food, which contributed to the first Thanksgiving feast.

How did Sarah Josepha Hale contribute to Thanksgiving becoming a national holiday?

In 1827, Sarah Josepha Hale campaigned tirelessly to make Thanksgiving a national holiday, leading to its eventual recognition.

When was Thanksgiving officially declared a national holiday?

Thanksgiving was declared a national holiday in 1863 by President Abraham Lincoln, who designated it to be celebrated on the final Thursday of November.

What were the contributions of President Franklin D. Roosevelt to Thanksgiving?

In 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a proclamation that officially designated the fourth Thursday in November as Thanksgiving, cementing the holiday’s date.

What are some traditional dishes served during Thanksgiving in the United States?

Traditional Thanksgiving dishes include turkey, stuffing, sweet potato casserole, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, green beans, mac and cheese, ham, and pumpkin pie.

How is Thanksgiving celebrated in modern times?

Today, Thanksgiving is a family-focused holiday where people gather to enjoy a meal, practice gratitude, and often help those in need, with many observing it as a time for reflection and togetherness.