Thanksgiving Thanksgiving DayDay

Origin of Thanksgiving DayThanksgiving is America's preeminent day. It is celebrated every year on the

fourth Thursday in the month of November. It has a very interesting

history. Its origin can be traced back to the 16th century when the first

thanksgiving dinner is said to have taken place.

Thanksgiving Day TraditionThanksgiving Day is a communal celebration marked as a sense of gratitude people feel for all the good things in life. This is done by offering prayers, gifting your near and dear ones. The fourth Thursday in the month of November is marked for the yearly celebration. The

tradition of Thanksgiving continues till date in the form of

Family Reunion and FeastingFamily feast is an important tradition during Thanksgiving. The entire family sits at the table during dinner and offer prayer to the Lord Almighty for his continuous grace. It is also a time

for relatives living in different places to come together and celebrate.

Tradition of TurkeyThe traditional stuffed turkey adorns every dinner table during the feast. Pumpkin pie,

Cranberry sauce, Corns are some of the dishes cooked everywhere to mark the day. Though historians don't have an evidence to prove that turkey was eaten during the first Thanksgiving

dinner, but the thanksgiving celebration will be incomplete without it.

ParadesThe traditional Thanksgiving parade probably started with President Lincoln proclaiming it an official day. The full- dress parade is a way to display the country's military strength and discipline. The main aim of such parades is to lift the spirits of the spectators, provide them with wholesome entertainment. In the present day, parades are accompanied with musical

shows and celebrities.

Football GamesWatching NFL football during Thanksgiving is a popular tradition. The traditional game

between the Detroit Lions and the Green Bay Packers continues. One of the most memorable games having been played on this day.

Thanksgiving Day Customs

The Thanksgiving legacy has been alive for hundreds of years. The customs we see in our homes today remind us of ancient celebrations of harvest, thankfulness for peace, and the endeavors of native Americans. It consists of stories of those who believe that gratitude for

blessings is a virtue all must possess.

Custom of PrayingFor centuries, 'Thanksgiving Day' is associated with communal prayers in church and in

homes. People offer various meal time prayers during the day. It is a time, when mankind thanks God for all his blessings and grace. It is also a day to show gratitude to your friends

and relatives for all the good deeds.

Custom of Family DinnerEveryone follows the custom of family dinner and reunion religiously every year. Distances don't really matter as relatives drive down to be with their family. Feasts are usually held at

home. It is a time to enjoy their favorite 'Roasted Turkey' with the family.

Custom of DecorationThanksgiving is a time to decorate homes with wreaths, fresh and dried flowers. People beautify their homes, give the interiors a whole new look and feel. They light lamps to

brighten the environment. Tables are adorned with best china and antique silver cutlery to mark the occasion.

Custom of sending messagesThanksgiving is a day when people send loving messages and warm wishes to their

relatives, colleagues at work place, superiors and subordinates, near and dear ones. It is a day of conveying their feelings through Thanksgiving cards.

Thanksgiving Day ParadeAmerica's preeminent 'Thanksgiving Parade' is an important tradition. It was first held in the year 1924 in Detroit down to Woodward Avenue. The parade began on a very small scale, its popularity grew with each passing year, and after almost 24 years of the parade tradition, it was televised locally in 1948. Fours years later in 1952 the parade received national coverage.

The Parade is famously known for its policy of going on under any circumstance or condition; be it rain or shine. The most bittersweet year of the Parade was 1963, which was held less than a week after President Kennedy's assassination, the country was still in mourning. But, as they say 'The show must go on', the parade was held so as not to disappoint millions of children and viewers.

Thanksgiving parades also occur in other cities like Plymouth, Houston, Philadelphia and Detroit (where it is the only major parade of the year).

Important Features of Thanksgiving ParadeImportant features of the parade are moving stands with specific themes, scenes from Broadway plays, large balloons of cartoon characters and TV personalities, and high school marching bands. The parade comes to an end with Santa Claus's image passing the stands.

First Thanksgiving Day FeastThe famous 'First thanksgiving feast' is said to have taken place in autumn, in the year 1621. The pilgrims organized the feast right after the first harvest. It was a gesture to thank God to help them survive the bitter winter. It was also celebrated as a display of gratitude towards Indians. The feast took place in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The traditional 'First feast' formed the basis for the modern 'Thanksgiving Day', celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November every year.

According to historians, the first thanksgiving feast was eaten outside, as the colonists didn't have sufficient space to accommodate everyone. Native Indians were invited to the feast as they were the ones who taught pilgrims how to grow food. The feast was held to rejoice their fruits of labor.

The feast is described in a firsthand account presumably written by a leader of the colony, Edward Winslow. According to him, the governor had sent four men to kill as many fowls. The feast was attended by 90 people including Indians (Native Americans). The food included, ducks, turkeys, geese, swan and venison, fish, berries, watercress, lobster, dried fruit, clams, and plums. The feast continued for three days. It was accompanied by lots of dancing and merry-making.

The feast was not repeated for the next few years. The next thanksgiving day was celebrated in the year 1676. The year witnessed a severe drought, which was eventually followed by rains due to prayers.

George Washington proclaimed a National Day of Thanksgiving in 1789. The idea attracted mixed reaction. After campaigning for nearly 80 years, in 1863, President Lincoln proclaimed the last Thursday in November as a national day of Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving Day Proclamation

Tradition of Gifting

Thanksgiving is a time for gifting your family and friends. The day is a time to show your gratitude and respect to your elders, friends, your siblings and also your colleagues. Popular gifts include thanksgiving flowers, jewellery, baked cookie hampers, chocolate

gift baskets, candy-wreaths, wine etc

A Thanksgiving Poem.

The tear another's tears bring forth,The sigh which answers sigh,

The pulse that beats at other's woes,Even though our own be nigh,

A balm to bathe the wounded heartWhere sorrow's hand hath lain,

The link divine from soul to soulThat makes us one in pain,

Sweet sympathy, benignant ray,Light of the soul doth shine;In it is human nature given

A touch of the divine.

Poem T is for the trust the pilgrims had so many years agoH is for the harvest the settlers learnt to growA is for America, the land in which we liveN is for nature and beauty which she givesK is for kindness, gentle words, thoughtful deedsS is for smiles, the sunshine everyone needsG is for gratitude... our blessings big and smallI is for ideas, letting wisdom grow tallV is for voices, singing, laughing, always caringI is for Indians, who taught them about sharingN is for neighbors, across the street, over the seaG is for giving of myself to make a better meby Judith. A. Lindberg

The celebration of Thanksgiving will be

incomplete without the legendary Turkey. It derives its

name from the 'turk turk' sounds it makes when scared. Turkey was at one time being

considered as the national symbol of America. Benjamin Franklin felt that turkey was

the right choice because it was a good runner and had a sharp

sight. A bald eagle later became the national symbol of

America.

TurkeyTurkeyTurkeyTurkey

TurkeyTurkey

Thanksgiving Day Turkey SongThanksgiving Day Turkey Song O turkey dearO turkey dearO turkey dearO turkey dearHow lovely are thy feathersHow lovely are thy feathers

O turkey dearO turkey dearO turkey dearO turkey dearThere could be nothing better!There could be nothing better!

We celebrate Thanksgiving DayWe celebrate Thanksgiving DayBy putting your carcass on display.By putting your carcass on display.

O turkey dearO turkey dearO turkey dearO turkey dearYou thought we were friends who came to You thought we were friends who came to greet you.greet you.

O turkey dearO turkey dearO turkey dearO turkey dearWe gathered here to eat you!We gathered here to eat you!

O turkey dayO turkey dayO turkey dayO turkey dayThe family is all togetherThe family is all together

O turkey dayO turkey dayO turkey dayO turkey dayWe've over come bad weatherWe've over come bad weather

Seeing the family is so fabSeeing the family is so fabWe'll see ya'll again in rehab.We'll see ya'll again in rehab.

O turkey dayO turkey dayO turkey dayO turkey dayWe'll drink away your memory. We'll drink away your memory.

Thanksgiving For each new morning with its light, For each new morning with its light, For rest and shelter of the night, For rest and shelter of the night, For health and food, For health and food, For love and friends, For love and friends, For everything Thy goodness sends.For everything Thy goodness sends. Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)