What is The Story Behind Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving is one of the iconic American holidays, and it is so much more than turkey and cranberry sauce. It’s a history-filled day, rich in tradition, and filled with a spirit of gratitude across generations and borders.

It occurs on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States and is a time to come together and appreciate the blessings of life.

Why Thanksgiving is celebrated, how it started, grew, and the meaning of thanks it now holds today:

“Let our lives be full of thanks and giving”.

The First Thanksgiving – A Gathering of Gratitude

It is said that the first Thanksgiving occurred in 1621 when a group of Pilgrims at Plymouth Colony, in what is now Massachusetts, celebrated a good harvest with the Wampanoag people. Having endured difficult times, the two groups shared a feast of local food and marked an early moment of cooperation. Although it was not a formal holiday, the event is remembered as a symbolic starting point for the spirit of Thanksgiving.

Though this practice of Thanksgiving continued erratically in several colonies, Thanksgiving was never declared an official holiday.

 

It was in the 19th century when the holiday started gaining prominence. Sarah Josepha Hale, a prominent writer and editor, campaigned for the need to have a National Thanksgiving Day. She wrote to many politicians for over 17 years to make her request to them. Her hard efforts, especially in writing letters, gained the attention of the newly elected President Abraham Lincoln.

President Abraham Lincoln declared it an official national holiday in 1863, thanks to the pressure put upon him by this prolific writer.

Hale’s tireless efforts led to President Abraham Lincoln declaring Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1863.

The Modern Thanksgiving: Traditions and Celebrations

Thanksgiving falls on the fourth Thursday of November. Because President Franklin D. Roosevelt moved the date in 1939 to extend the holiday shopping season during the Great Depression, this is now a tradition. The modern Thanksgiving celebration is a tapestry of various traditions developed through the centuries.

• The Feast – Thanksgiving center is of course a feast. Traditionally, the food typically includes turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. And every food has a history as well as symbolic meanings; the turkey itself is an icon to demonstrate the fruitfulness of harvests while the pumpkin pie represents an appreciation for how much the Pilgrims prospered with agriculture.
• Parades and Football: Thanksgiving parades, in particular the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, have become a great tradition, with giant balloons, floats, and performances. Football games are another institution, gathering families and friends to watch their favorite teams play.
• Acts of Gratitude: At the heart of Thanksgiving is being thankful. Many families sit around the table and actually talk about what they’re thankful for. This act of thanksgiving is not only a celebration of the holiday’s origins but also a great way to cultivate a good attitude and deepen relationships.
• Philanthropy: Thanksgiving also encourages people to be charitable. Many people volunteer in soup kitchens, contribute to food drives, and give money to various charitable organizations. This focus on giving highlights the message of the holiday: community and compassion.

Thanksgiving and the Start of the Holiday Season

While Thanksgiving is, in itself a holiday, it also begins the unofficial season of holidays. Immediately after the Thanksgiving meal, most families begin the Christmas preparation process: decorations, shopping, and various holiday functions. The contrast between Thanksgiving and the rest of the holiday season defines the atmosphere surrounding this time of year as so full of anticipation and celebration.

Embracing the Spirit of Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is not just a holiday, but rather a reminder to society about the importance of gratitude, community, and reflection. Thanksgiving has become a celebration that transcends time, shaped by centuries of history, tradition, and values about gratitude and togetherness.

As we gather around the table, watch parades, and cheer for our favorite football teams, we are partaking in a rich and long-lasting tradition. Therefore, embracing the true spirit of Thanksgiving honors the past and brings us to cherish the present and look forward to the future with hope, unity, and gratitude.