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Thanksgiving
Over 90% of the American population celebrates Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving in the United States dates back to the early 17th century, when English settlers at Plymouth, Massachusetts, held a three-day feast to celebrate their first successful harvest in the “New World.”
The feast was attended by about 50 Pilgrims and 90 Native Americans who had helped the Pilgrims survive the winter. The event was not called “Thanksgiving” then, but it is considered the first Thanksgiving celebration in America.
Over time, Thanksgiving became an annual tradition in the United States, with various states and colonies setting aside days of Thanksgiving throughout the year. In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln declared the last Thursday in November to be the national day of Thanksgiving, and it became an official federal holiday in 1941.
Today, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November. It is a day when families and friends come together to share a meal and express gratitude for the good things in their lives. Turkey, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie are traditional dishes served this holiday. Many people also use this occasion to volunteer at soup kitchens and donate to charities to help the less fortunate. Despite its history, Thanksgiving continues to be an important holiday in the United States that brings people together.
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