Thanksgiving Day, which is just around the corner, is a precursor to Christmas celebrations in the United States. The Thanksgiving is celebrated on fourth Thursday of November and is an American national holiday. The schools, colleges and government offices and businesses are closed on Thanksgiving Day. The following day which is on Friday is also a holiday which marks a four-day national holiday in the country.
The Thanksgiving Day is celebrated with a sumptuous meal including turkey, stuffing, and vegetables. Eating yams is also famous on the day. Yams are a starchy root vegetable grown across the Caribbean islands. It is nothing but a sweet potato. The Thanksgiving Day meal is completed with a pumpkin pie and a walnut crust.
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Thanksgiving Day parades are also organized in many cities across the US. The most famous Thanksgiving Day parade is celebrated as Macy’s parade in New York. Usually a three-hour long event, the parade features floats, costumes and huge helium balloons in the shape of cartoon characters including Mickey Mouse.
USA is not only the nation which celebrates Thanksgiving. It is also celebrated in countries like Canada, Puerto Rico, Grenada, and Liberia. Thanksgiving Day is actually celebrated as the harvest festival.
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The Thanksgiving Day history dates back to 1620 when a group of pilgrims visited American soil and got settled in an area known as Plymouth which is located in the south of Boston. The pilgrims got settled in the season of tough winter when getting a ration was difficult and it actually was a difficult time.
When spring arrived, the pilgrims wanted to sow crops, and in the process, were helped by local American named Squanto. Squanto was instrumental in teaching them how to plant corn, pumpkins, and squash. Besides, Squanto also taught them how to fish and hunt as well.
As they acquired skills to produce their own food, the pilgrims got successful in creating their own ration and store enough food for the upcoming winter season. They were well-equipped to counter the harsh winter season ahead.
As the pilgrims were grateful, they invited local Americans who helped them with harvest for a sumptuous meal. The meal was known as harvest meal. And, since then, the harvest meal had become famous as Thanksgiving.
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As far as the tradition goes, the American President forgives at least one turkey which goes on to become national Thanksgiving bird. The national Thanksgiving bird is also given the reprieve from execution. This tradition is followed in America since many decades.
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As American football is also famous in the country, people also play and watch football on the Thanksgiving Day. The Thanksgiving weekend also sees NFL and college players the game of football. And, it is so since the football’s invention. It is also the biggest days in the football calendar.
College Basketball also organizes several elimination tournaments over the Thanksgiving weekend. Despite being in the off-season, golf and auto racing events are also held on the Thanksgiving Day. The Turkey Night Grand Prix is also an annual automobile race which is organized at various venues in southern California on Thanksgiving night.
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Though Thanksgiving Day is celebrated across America with all fervor and enthusiasm, there are people as well who don’t celebrate the day. Many indigenous Americans, who were displaced by the settlers, don’t celebrate the Thanksgiving Day. There are also groups which protest against the celebration of Thanksgiving Day primarily for a reason that they see it as a celebration of people who intruded their space and became native to the place.
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As far as the tradition goes, the poor are often provided with food on the Thanksgiving Day. Most of the communities also collect non-perishable packaged and canned foods and sponsor charitable distributions of staple foods and Thanksgiving dinners. Giving Tuesday, which falls five days after the Thanksgiving Day, marks a celebration of charitable giving.
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