Thanksgiving is a cherished American holiday marked by gatherings, feasts, and gratitude. For many, it’s a time to reconnect with family, enjoy festive foods, and reflect on life’s blessings. But the holiday’s origins and reasons for celebration go deeper, rooted in a blend of history, cultural traditions, and symbolic gratitude.

Origins of Thanksgiving in North America

Thanksgiving traces its origins to the early 17th century, with the most famous "First Thanksgiving" occurring in 1621 at Plymouth Colony, in what is now Massachusetts. English Pilgrims, seeking religious freedom, had arrived in the New World in 1620. They faced a harsh winter that nearly wiped-out half of their colony due to cold, disease, and hunger. 

In the spring, the surviving Pilgrims received help from the Wampanoag people, particularly from a Native American named Squanto, who taught them vital survival skills: how to grow corn, fish in the rivers, and identify edible plants. By the fall of 1621, the Pilgrims had harvested a bountiful crop. To celebrate their success, they held a three-day feast and invited the Wampanoag to join them in gratitude for the harvest and their survival. This feast is commonly regarded as the First Thanksgiving.

The Evolution of Thanksgiving Traditions

While Thanksgiving is often associated with the Pilgrims’ 1621 celebration, various other Thanksgiving feasts were held throughout the early American colonies, often as expressions of thanks for military victories or good harvests. These were not annual celebrations but rather events marked by specific moments of gratitude.

Thanksgiving gained more formal recognition during the American Revolution when the Continental Congress proclaimed days of thanks. However, it wasn’t until the 19th century that Thanksgiving became an official, annual holiday. 

Sarah Josepha Hale and Abraham Lincoln

One woman’s tireless efforts were instrumental in establishing Thanksgiving as a national holiday. Sarah Josepha Hale, an American author and editor, campaigned for years to make Thanksgiving a recognized holiday across the United States. Her advocacy included letters to politicians, articles, and petitions. Finally, in 1863, amid the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed Thanksgiving a national holiday, to be celebrated each November. Lincoln saw Thanksgiving as an opportunity for Americans to reflect on their blessings, despite the hardships of war.

Why We Celebrate Thanksgiving Today

In modern times, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States. While the focus of Thanksgiving has evolved over the centuries, the holiday remains deeply rooted in themes of gratitude, family, and community. Today, Americans celebrate Thanksgiving in a variety of ways, often shaped by regional and cultural differences, but several traditions are common across the country.

Gathering with Family and Friends

Thanksgiving is a time for family and friends to gather, often from far distances, to share a meal and reconnect. Many see this as one of the most important family-oriented holidays in American culture.

The Thanksgiving Feast

The holiday meal is centered around turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie, though the dishes vary depending on regional and personal preferences. This abundance of food is both a celebration of the harvest and a symbol of prosperity. 

Expressing Gratitude

While the day is filled with food and festivities, it also serves as a reminder to pause and reflect on the things we’re grateful for. Many families take turns sharing what they’re thankful for, continuing the spirit of gratitude that has defined Thanksgiving from its beginnings.

Parades and Football

Since the early 20th century, parades have become a Thanksgiving tradition, with the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City being the most famous. Football is also closely associated with the holiday, as professional and college games provide entertainment throughout the day.

Giving Back to the Community

Thanksgiving is also seen as an opportunity to help those in need, with many people volunteering or donating food to shelters and community programs. This giving spirit reflects the original sense of communal support shown by the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag people.

The Significance of Thanksgiving Today

In a fast-paced world, Thanksgiving has become a rare moment to pause, disconnect, and reconnect with loved ones and life’s simple pleasures. Though the meaning of Thanksgiving may differ from person to person, its core themes remain the same: gratitude, family, and community. It is a time to appreciate the people, food, and opportunities we often take for granted.

Thanksgiving serves as a reminder that, no matter our struggles, there is always something to be thankful for—a message that has endured since the earliest Thanksgiving celebrations. Whether for the food, the family gatherings, or the chance to reflect, Thanksgiving holds a special place in American culture and continues to be celebrated as a beloved holiday year after year.