A holiday about spending time with family, catching up with distant relatives and friends, all while gathering around a feast; Thanksgiving. This holiday being right between Halloween and Christmas, is usually overlooked. However, taking a minute to comprehend how Thanksgiving came to be, allows us to truly appreciate the holiday more.
In 1863, Thanksgiving was proclaimed a national holiday by President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War. President Lincoln was not the first to issue a Thanksgiving proclamation, though this was the most impactful. His announcement set a precedent for decades that follow, for which we now know as Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving originated from a successful harvest celebration in 1621. For this harvest, around 90 Wampanoag joined approximately 50 English people in Plymouth, Massachusetts, this assembly is known today as the First Thanksgiving. The First Thanksgiving emphasized peace for a brief moment. Almost a generation later, a war erupted. Due to its violent history, including the loss of territory and political independence, Thanksgiving remains a painful reminder for many, due to the European colonization on Indigenous people.
Over the centuries, Thanksgiving became a celebration of feasting while reminiscing and reflecting on what individuals are grateful for. The holiday has a faint connection to the harvest celebration in 1621 now. Though its roots in one of the country’s greatest moments of division, the Civil War, is still very prominent.
The United States and Canada have official Thanksgiving holidays, though other countries celebrate as well. They celebrate in October and November respectively. Some countries celebrate Thanksgiving by having similar harvest or gratitude festivals, made up of their own traditions, dates, and more. The United States specifically, celebrates Thanksgiving on the last Thursday of November. Typically, turkeys are a staple in our feasts. Back in the day, turkeys were easy to hunt and can feed many, so it has become a part of our traditions.
