Why Is Thanksgiving Day Celebrated In USA?
Thanksgiving Day is a nation-wide holiday which is celebrated in the United States, Canada, parts of Caribbean islands and Liberia. It is mainly celebrated to give thanks for the harvest of that year and the following year as well. In the United States, it is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November; while in Canada, it is celebrated on the second Monday of October.
Thanksgiving has religious roots attached to it for it is being celebrated since history. It also has cultural traditions attached to it, even though it is celebrated as a secular holiday. Through few of the documents from early years, it has been proved that Thanksgiving was celebrated in 1620 at Plymouth (now Massachusetts) and also in 1619 at Virginia.
A small ship which was known as the Mayflower sailed from Plymouth and after more than two months reached the land, now called the Provincetown on Cape Cod. The American coast called the New England was explored by Captain John Smith many years ago. The pilgrims followed his route and came across the mainland coast of Massachusetts.
Later, the pilgrims founded the Plymouth in 1960 and the first Thanksgiving Day was probably celebrated there. The pilgrim settlers bravely survived the winters that year with very little food that they had and bitter cold. In the spring that followed, they were helped by friendly Indiansin growing corns which they harvested in the autumn.
This resulted in a large feast and thanksgiving which continued for three days. This custom of thanksgiving spread across the other colonies. Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving in 1863, as a national holiday. Later, in 1941, the House passed a resolution and declared that the last Thursday of November will be the official Thanksgiving Day.
In the first Thanksgiving meal, beef and fowl were served. In the early documents, it has been noted, that the Indians and the settlers went on a turkey hunting trip which has now become the most important dish of Thanksgiving.
Now, Thanksgiving is one of the most important festivals to the Americans. It is the start of the holiday season, and therefore, holds a great significance.
Featured Image Credit: goodhousekeeping.com
Team at World Infi