Thanksgiving is a national holiday celebrated annually in the United States, Canada, Brazil, Saint Lucia and Liberia. From only having witnessed the celebrations of Thanksgiving from American TV and social media, we were not entirely sure what Thanksgiving was and why it is celebrated so we’ve decided to do some research!

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THANKSGIVING?

Thanksgiving is the day Americans and other countries celebrate the harvest and other blessings of the past year. It’s a time to gather around with your friends and family, cook a delightful feast, and indulge while thinking of all of the things you have been grateful for that year. Whether it’s a personal achievement, a promotion, a new family member etc.

It seems to be believed that Thanksgiving is modelled on a harvest feast hosted in 1621 called the ‘First Thanksgiving’, shared by English colonists (Pilgrims) of Plymouth and the Wampanoag people.

WHEN IS THANKSGIVING?

Thanksgiving is celebrated every year on the fourth Thursday of November, meaning in 2020, it will be held on Thursday 26th November.

IS THANKSGIVING A RELIGIOUS HOLIDAY?

To many, especially as its morals and traditions have evolved over time, Thanksgiving is celebrated as a secular holiday, or a time to get excited for Christmas and the Autumn/Winter season. However, due to its historical roots in religious and cultural traditions, Thanksgiving is considered a religious holiday to many.

WHAT ARE THE TRADITIONS?

There are plenty of different traditions Americans carry out every year, including a few of their own. The most common include having a turkey for dinner, baking a pumpkin pie, passing down a family recipe, remembering lost loved ones and catching up with a far-off family. It sounds like a wonderful way to remind yourself of what you are grateful for.