Thanksgiving

Definition

Thanksgiving is an annual national holiday in the United States celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. It originated as a day of giving thanks for the blessing of the harvest and other blessings of the past year, and is celebrated with family gatherings, traditional foods, and various cultural and religious traditions.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The first Thanksgiving was celebrated in 1621 by the Pilgrims of the Plymouth Colony and the Wampanoag tribe, as a celebration of a successful harvest.
2. Thanksgiving was not an official national holiday until 1863, when President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed it as a day of 'Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.'
3. Traditional Thanksgiving foods include turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie, reflecting the agricultural bounty of the early English settlements.
4. The Thanksgiving holiday has evolved over time, with the addition of parades, football games, and the start of the holiday shopping season.
5. Thanksgiving is seen as a time to reflect on the blessings of the past year and to spend time with family and friends, making it a significant cultural and social event in the United States.

Review Questions

• Describe the historical origins of the Thanksgiving holiday and its significance in the context of the English settlements in America.
  • The Thanksgiving holiday originated in 1621 when the Pilgrims of the Plymouth Colony celebrated a successful harvest with the Wampanoag tribe. This celebration marked a significant milestone in the early English settlements, as the Pilgrims had struggled to survive their first year in the New World. The Wampanoag's assistance in teaching the Pilgrims agricultural techniques and sharing their knowledge of the land was crucial to the colony's survival. The first Thanksgiving was a celebration of this collaboration and the blessings of the harvest, setting the stage for the holiday's enduring tradition of gratitude and community.
• Analyze the evolution of the Thanksgiving holiday over time and its cultural significance in the United States.
  • While the original Thanksgiving celebration was a local event in the Plymouth Colony, the holiday has since become a national tradition in the United States. In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed Thanksgiving a national holiday, solidifying its status as a significant cultural and social event. Over time, Thanksgiving has evolved to include additional traditions, such as parades, football games, and the start of the holiday shopping season. These traditions have transformed Thanksgiving into a broader celebration of family, community, and the abundance of the harvest. Today, Thanksgiving is seen as a time to reflect on the blessings of the past year and to come together with loved ones, making it a cherished part of American culture.
• Evaluate the role of the Wampanoag tribe in the survival and success of the early English settlements, and how this relationship shaped the Thanksgiving holiday.
  • The Wampanoag tribe played a crucial role in the survival and success of the early English settlements, particularly the Plymouth Colony. By sharing their agricultural knowledge, trading with the Pilgrims, and providing assistance during times of hardship, the Wampanoag helped the Pilgrims overcome the challenges of establishing a new colony in a foreign land. This collaborative relationship between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag was the foundation for the first Thanksgiving celebration in 1621, which commemorated the successful harvest and the mutual understanding between the two groups. The Thanksgiving holiday, with its emphasis on gratitude, community, and the sharing of resources, is a lasting testament to the importance of this cross-cultural partnership in the early history of the English settlements in America.

Related terms

Plymouth Colony:

The first permanent English settlement in New England, established in 1620 by Puritan colonists who arrived on the Mayflower ship.

Pilgrims:

The Puritan settlers who founded the Plymouth Colony and are traditionally associated with the first Thanksgiving celebration.

Native Americans: The indigenous peoples of North America, who played a crucial role in the survival of the early English settlements through trade, agricultural assistance, and the sharing of knowledge.