This Day: Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a federal holiday in the United States, celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November, a date standardized in 1941. This holiday originated in the 17th and 18th century, rooted in New England's Calvinist traditions, and evolved from regional observances into a national celebration established formally in 1863. The first known civil Thanksgiving in this tradition was in 1623 at Plymouth Colony, and by the 1660s, harvest thanksgiving celebrations became commonplace in New England.
The essence of Thanksgiving is centered around gratitude, typically expressed during a festive dinner with family and friends. The meal traditionally features turkey, mashed and sweet potatoes, squash, corn, green beans, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie, but has grown to include regional variations and international dishes, reflecting the diverse culinary landscape of the United States.
In addition to family gatherings, Thanksgiving customs include charitable initiatives where meals are offered to the needy, attending religious services, and enjoying parades and football games. The holiday also marks the start of the holiday shopping season, with Black Friday following Thanksgiving as the year's busiest retail day, complemented by Cyber Monday for online shopping.