During the autumn of 1621, at least 90 Wampanoag and 52 English people came together at what is now Plymouth, Massachusetts, to celebrate a good harvest. It has become known today as the "First Thanksgiving," although nobody at the time ever referred to it by that name. Since then, there have been many assumptions about the festival in Plymouth, and traditions today are based more on fiction than fact. Thanksgiving is annually celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November, and this year, it falls on the 28th of November. 

Thanksgiving is celebrated for thankfulness for family, friends, food, health, and other positivities. Some include religion by giving thanks in prayer, but Thanksgiving is a federal holiday and is celebrated nationwide. In modern days, the holiday has come to symbolize gratitude, peace, and celebrating blessings.

Significance of Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was earlier celebrated as an occasion to express gratitude for the blessing of the year and a fruitful harvest. Over time, it has become a way for people to come together and reflect on what they’re thankful for. Thanksgiving is known for expressing gratitude, and not just an acknowledgement of blessings, it is also the recognition of kindness that permeates every aspect of our lives.

It is characterized by large family meals, with turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie typically being on the menu. Other traditions include parades, for instance, the world-famous Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, and philanthropic gestures like donating food to those in need.

Presidential Turkey Pardon

A unique feature of Thanksgiving is the Presidential Turkey Pardon, in which the sitting president pardons a turkey from the slaughter dinner. This started when Lincoln spared a turkey during his presidency on request from his son Tad. The current version was, however, formalized by President George H.W. Bush in 198934. Every year, one or two turkeys are pardoned and allowed to spend the rest of their lives on a farm.

Trivia about Thanksgiving

• First Thanksgiving: The 1621 feast included both Pilgrims and Native Americans sharing food, but its history is complex because of the subsequent conflicts between settlers and Indigenous peoples.
• Thanksgiving Day Parades: One of the signature event traditions of the holiday, these parades have become an indistinguishable part of the holiday experience in many American cities, most notably having the famous Macy's parade.
• The National Day of Mourning: For many Native Americans, Thanksgiving is a day of mourning as the event commemorates colonization and oppression.
  
  Thanksgiving is a day to reflect, be thankful, and spend time with loved ones. Its complexity-laced history notwithstanding, it remains an occasion cherished by many around the world as an opportunity to celebrate blessings, family, and community. As times change, the holiday becomes a valuable opportunity for humanity to express thanks and kindness in society.
  
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