Know About Thanksgiving 2024 in America: A Festive Primer Thanksgiving 2024: Family, Food, and History to Celebrate

Family Celebration: Thanksgiving Traditions for Every Family

Thanksgiving is a time for families to come together and create lasting memories. Here are some Thanksgiving traditions that every family can enjoy:

1. Turkey Trot: Start the day with a fun run or walk around the neighborhood or a local park. This is a great way to get everyone moving and energized for the big feast.
2. Family Football Game: Gather the family and play a game of touch football or flag football. This is a fun way to get everyone laughing and having a good time.
3. Gratitude Circle: Take a few minutes to sit down as a family and share what you’re each grateful for. This can be a powerful way to connect and reflect on the blessings in your life.
4. Cooking Together: Make the Thanksgiving meal a family affair by having everyone help with the cooking. Assign tasks to each family member, such as setting the table, making the sides, or helping with the turkey.
5. Family Recipe Book: Create a family recipe book filled with your favorite Thanksgiving recipes. This can be a fun way to pass down traditions and memories to future generations.
6. Thanksgiving Eve Dinner: Consider having a smaller dinner on the evening before Thanksgiving, featuring some of your favorite dishes. This can be a great way to ease into the holiday and enjoy some quality time with your family.
7. Volunteer Day: Spend the day giving back to your community by volunteering at a local soup kitchen or food bank. This can be a great way to teach your family about the importance of giving and helping others.
8. Family Game Night: After dinner, gather the family for a night of board games, card games, or video games. This can be a fun way to relax and have some friendly competition.
9. Thanksgiving Day Parade: Watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on TV or attend a local parade in your area. This can be a fun way to get into the holiday spirit and enjoy some festive music and floats.
10. Family Photo Shoot: Take some time to capture memories of your family by taking a photo shoot on Thanksgiving Day. This can be a great way to create lasting memories and have some fun with your family.

Some other ideas to consider:

• Have a “kids’ table” where the younger family members can enjoy their own special meal and activities.
• Create a “Thanksgiving jar” where family members can write down things they’re grateful for and put them in a jar to read later.
• Have a “Thanksgiving scavenger hunt” where family members have to find certain items or complete challenges.
• Make a “Thanksgiving time capsule” where family members can write notes and include small mementos to be opened in the future.
• Have a “Thanksgiving movie marathon” where family members can watch their favorite holiday films.

Remember, the most important thing is to make the holiday your own and create traditions that are meaningful and enjoyable for your family.

History of Thanksgiving

The history of Thanksgiving is a complex and multifaceted topic that spans over four centuries. Here is a brief overview:

• Pre-Columbian Era: The Wampanoag tribe, who lived in present-day Massachusetts, had a harvest festival called the “First Thanksgiving” around 1601. This festival was a time for the Wampanoag to give thanks for the bounty of the harvest and to celebrate the coming of the fall season.
• 1620: The Pilgrims, a group of English Separatists, arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts, and established the Plymouth Colony. The Pilgrims had a difficult first winter, with many dying from disease and malnutrition.
• 1621: The Pilgrims had a successful harvest, thanks in part to the help of the Wampanoag tribe, who had taught them how to farm and hunt in the area. The Pilgrims and the Wampanoag came together to celebrate the harvest with a feast, which is now known as the “First Thanksgiving.”
• 1623: The Pilgrims held another harvest feast, which was attended by the Wampanoag and other Native American tribes. This feast was also a time for the Pilgrims to give thanks for their good fortune and to celebrate their survival.
• 1777: During the American Revolution, the Continental Congress declared a national day of thanksgiving to celebrate the defeat of the British at the Battle of Saratoga.
• 1863: During the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln declared the last Thursday in November to be a national day of thanksgiving. This was a time for Americans to come together and give thanks for their blessings, despite the challenges and hardships faced by the country.
• 1941: Congress passed a law making Thanksgiving a federal holiday, to be celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November every year.
• 1966: President Lyndon B. Johnson declared the fourth Thursday of November to be a national day of Thanksgiving, and it has been celebrated as such ever since.

Thanksgiving Becomes a National Holiday

After the Civil War, Thanksgiving became a national holiday in the United States. The holiday was first celebrated in 1863, when President Abraham Lincoln declared the last Thursday in November to be a national day of thanksgiving. This was a time for Americans to come together and give thanks for their blessings, despite the challenges and hardships faced by the country.

In 1869, Congress passed a law making Thanksgiving a federal holiday, to be celebrated on the last Thursday in November every year. This law was signed by President Ulysses S. Grant, and it marked the beginning of Thanksgiving as a national holiday.

Over the years, Thanksgiving has become a beloved holiday in the United States, with many families gathering together to share a meal and give thanks for their blessings. The holiday has also become a time for Americans to reflect on their history and the struggles of the past, as well as to look forward to the future with hope and gratitude.

Thanksgiving Becomes a Federal Holiday:

• In 1870, Congress passed a law making Thanksgiving a federal holiday, to be celebrated on the last Thursday in November every year.
• The law was signed by President Ulysses S. Grant on June 28, 1870.
• The holiday was initially celebrated on the last Thursday in November, but in 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt moved it to the fourth Thursday in November to extend the holiday shopping season.
• In 1941, Congress passed a law making Thanksgiving a federal holiday, to be celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November every year.
• Today, Thanksgiving is a federal holiday in the United States, celebrated by millions of people across the country.

Thanksgiving Becomes a Federal Holiday

Some interesting facts about Thanksgiving becoming a federal holiday:

• The first national Thanksgiving was celebrated on November 26, 1863, when President Abraham Lincoln declared the last Thursday in November to be a national day of thanksgiving.
• The first federal law making Thanksgiving a federal holiday was passed in 1870, but it was not signed into law until 1873.
• The holiday was initially celebrated on the last Thursday in November, but in 1939, President Roosevelt moved it to the fourth Thursday in November to extend the holiday shopping season.
• In 1941, Congress passed a law making Thanksgiving a federal holiday, to be celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November every year.

Thanksgiving Day Observances

Thanksgiving Controversy

Thanksgiving, while cherished by many Americans as a time for gratitude and family gatherings, has become increasingly controversial due to its historical context.

The traditional narrative of a harmonious feast between Pilgrims and Native Americans is viewed by critics as a misrepresentation that glosses over the subsequent genocide,

land theft, and cultural erasure of indigenous peoples. Since 1970, some Native Americans have observed Thanksgiving as a “National Day of Mourning” to protest against ongoing racism and oppression, and to honor their ancestors’ struggles.

The holiday also faces criticism for perpetuating harmful stereotypes and cultural appropriation of Native American traditions. While perspectives on Thanksgiving vary within Native American communities, with some embracing it as a family holiday and others rejecting it entirely,

there are ongoing discussions about how to approach the day more thoughtfully, focusing on gratitude and accurate historical education.

Thanksgiving Food: Dinner, Sides, Desserts

Here is the list of Thanksgiving food

Main Course:

• Turkey • Ham

Sides:

• Mashed Potatoes • Stuffing (also known as dressing) • Gravy • Green Bean Casserole • Sweet Potato Casserole • Cranberry Sauce • Roasted Vegetables (such as Brussels sprouts, carrots, and sweet potatoes) • Cornbread • Rolls

Desserts:

• Pumpkin Pie • Apple Pie • Pecan Pie • Sweet Potato Pie • Cranberry Pie • Pumpkin Cheesecake • Apple Crisp • Pecan Pralines

Beverages:

• Apple Cider • Hot Chocolate • Coffee • Tea • Sparkling Cider • Wine (for adults)

Other:

• Fresh Fruit • Cheese and Crackers • Nuts (such as walnuts and pecans) • Dried Fruit (such as cranberries and apricots) • Spiced Cider Donuts • Pumpkin Bread • Sweet Potato Biscuits

Note: This is not an exhaustive list and you can add or remove items based on your personal preferences and traditions.