Thanksgiving Day: Meaning, History, and Facts
Thanksgiving Day is an annual national holiday celebrated in the United States and Canada, honoring the harvest and blessings of the previous year.
Origins and Early Celebrations
In the United States, Thanksgiving traces its roots to a 1621 harvest feast shared between the Pilgrims—European colonists of Plymouth—and the Wampanoag people. Early colonists in New England and Canada observed “thanksgivings” as days of prayer for blessings such as safe journeys, military victories, or bountiful harvests.
Americans generally believe their Thanksgiving is modeled on this 1621 feast shared by the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag.
Meanwhile, Canadian Thanksgiving dates back to 1578, when Martin Frobisher’s expedition gave thanks for a safe journey.
Modern Observance Dates
- In the United States, Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November, established by a 1941 joint resolution of Congress and a proclamation by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
- In Canada, the holiday is observed on the second Monday of October, a practice in place since 1957.
Current Traditions
Both countries mark Thanksgiving with gatherings of family and friends, centered around a festive meal. Typical American dishes include turkey, cranberries, and pumpkin pie.
"In both Canada and America, family and friends gather for a meal and other celebrations on Thanksgiving."
Author’s summary: Thanksgiving unites families in the U.S. and Canada each year to celebrate gratitude, rooted in early harvest feasts shared between settlers and Indigenous peoples.