When you hear “Thanksgiving,” what comes first to mind is quite likely roasted turkey and a lot of food. That has become tradition. However, Thanksgiving is more than just a day of feasting, it brings family and friends together and gives opportunity to reflect on gratitude and love.
Traditionally celebrated in the U.S. on the fourth Thursday of November, Thanksgiving reminds us of appreciation, unity and giving back. It is also time to express gratitude to our ancestors and how much has been sacrificed over the centuries, and it has become a symbol of togetherness and generosity. Even though Thanksgiving is rooted in American history, its emphasis on giving thanks has made it a meaningful celebration that resonates with people around the world.
Although there are claims that the U.S. Thanksgiving dates back to 1598 in El Paso, Texas, most people trace its origins to a 1621 harvest feast shared between the Wampanoag people and the Pilgrims — English settlers who had arrived aboard the Mayflower — in Plymouth, Massachusetts, giving thanks for rain that ended a drought.
These early thanksgivings took the form of a special church service, rather than a feast and were not called “Thanksgiving” at the time. Similar feasts had taken place in other colonies, such as Virginia, where settlers held thanksgiving ceremonies as early as 1607. These gatherings were usually religious and marked by prayer and gratitude, celebrating survival, safe passage or successful harvests.
Over time, thanksgivings after the harvest became more common and started to become annual events. George Washington, the first president of the U.S., proclaimed the first national Thanksgiving Day in 1789 and it became a national holiday in 1863 when Abraham Lincoln proclaimed it in the midst of the Civil War and declared the last Thursday of November as a day of “Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.”
This was a strategic move to unify a war-torn nation by encouraging Americans to pause and reflect. The holiday’s official date shifted in 1939 when Franklin D. Roosevelt moved it one week earlier to lengthen the holiday shopping season during the Great Depression. This change faced opposition, leading to the compromise of setting Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday in November, where it remains today.
In Canada, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday of October. Canadian Thanksgiving shares similar themes of gratitude and harvest but has a different origin story, tied to explorer Martin Frobisher, who celebrated a safe return from his Arctic voyage in 1578. It was first observed as an annual event in Canada in 1879.
In Japan, a similar celebration called Kinro Kansha no Hi (Labor Thanksgiving Day) is observed on Nov. 23. This holiday originally celebrated the rice harvest and has transformed over the years into a day focused on honoring workers’ rights and expressing gratitude.
There are many other celebrations of gratitude worldwide. For example, countries like Liberia, Germany, and even parts of the Caribbean have adapted their own versions of Thanksgiving, incorporating local customs and foods. These celebrations also often reflect gratitude for harvests, the German name “Erntedankfest” literally translates as “harvest thanks festival.”
Throughout history, Thanksgiving has inspired unique traditions and stories that have added to its cultural significance. Turkeys were not the main feature of the original Thanksgiving feast, the 1621 U.S. harvest feast likely included venison, seafood and wild fowl, but no specific mention of turkey. Turkey became popular in the 1800s as a centerpiece due to its size, affordability and availability.
Sarah Josepha Hale, a magazine editor and writer, spent nearly 17 years campaigning for Thanksgiving to become a national holiday. Through letters and articles, she emphasized the importance of unity and gratitude. Her efforts ultimately influenced President Lincoln’s decision, earning her the title of the “Mother of Thanksgiving.”
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade began in 1924 as a way to celebrate the holiday and promote the department store’s Christmas season. Initially featuring animals from the Central Park Zoo and hundreds of employees in costume, the parade has since evolved into a nationwide tradition with giant balloons, celebrities and marching bands. Today, it draws millions of viewers across the country and remains one of Thanksgiving’s most beloved traditions.
So Thanksgiving is indeed a holiday steeped in history and cherished worldwide, that has evolved from its origins as a humble feast between Pilgrims and Native Americans into a national celebration that unites people in gratitude.
The holiday’s traditions and symbols, from turkey dinners to parades, continue to capture the imagination and bring people together. Thanksgiving serves as a reminder of the power of gratitude, offering a moment for reflection, unity and joy for people worldwide.
References:
Smithsonian Institution. “What Was on the Menu at the First Thanksgiving?” Smithsonian Magazine.
Mount Vernon. “Thanksgiving History.” Digital Encyclopedia of George Washington.
White House Historical Association. “The Origins of Thanksgiving.”
National Archives. “Thanksgiving: A Day to Give Thanks.” Prologue Magazine.
BBC. “Why Thanksgiving Is Also Celebrated Outside the US.”
The Canadian Encyclopedia. “Thanksgiving Day in Canada.”
Japan National Tourism Organization. “The History and Importance of Kinro Kansha no Hi: Labor Thanksgiving Day.”
AFAR Magazine. “Thanksgiving Traditions Around the World.”
Smithsonian Institution. “Why Do We Eat Turkey on Thanksgiving?” Smithsonian Magazine.
History.com. “How Sarah Josepha Hale Made Thanksgiving a National Holiday.”
Macy’s Inc. “History of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.”
National Archives. “Thanksgiving: Historical Perspectives”. https://visit.archives.gov/whats-on/explore-exhibits/thanksgiving-historical-perspectives
Britannica. “Thanksgiving Day”. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Thanksgiving-Day
The Canadian Encyclopedia. “Thanksgiving in Canada”. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/thanksgiving-day
•••
Ayda Ersoy is a nutritionist (Dip.C.N., Dip.S.N.); master trainer (CPT ACE, NCSF, CanfitPro); registered yoga teacher; founder, Health Angel Nutrition, Fitness and Wellness; and founder, SMS (Stability, Mobility Strength) Intuitive Training System.
