It is November, and in a couple of weeks on the 27th, we will celebrate Thanksgiving. Over the centuries, the holiday has evolved to become a symbol of togetherness, generosity, and reflection. It is a time when we come together with family and friends to give thanks for the blessings we have received throughout the year.
The origins of Thanksgiving can be traced back to 1621, when the Pilgrims who had settled in Plymouth, Massachusetts, held a feast to celebrate their first successful harvest. After a difficult winter during which nearly half of their colony perished, the Pilgrims were able to grow enough crops to sustain themselves with the help of the Wampanoag tribe. To show their appreciation, the Pilgrims invited the Wampanoag people to join them in a three-day feast. This gathering is often romanticized, but it represented a rare moment of cooperation and peace between the two groups.
President George Washington designated November 26 as a day of Thanksgiving in 1789, but it did not become an official holiday until 1863, when President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed it a national holiday during the Civil War. Lincoln hoped that this day would provide healing for a nation deeply divided by war. In 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a resolution officially declaring the fourth Thursday of November as Thanksgiving Day, solidifying the tradition as a federal holiday.
Today, Thanksgiving is celebrated with a number of traditions that have become part of American culture. The most iconic of these is the Thanksgiving feast, which typically includes turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin and apple pies. Other foods may be part of each family’s traditions. Families gather around the table, and before the meal begins, they often take turns sharing what each person is thankful for. Regardless of any challenges we may be facing, this practice encourages reflection and reminds us to appreciate the good things in our lives.
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City on Thanksgiving morning is a nostalgic tradition I associate with Turkey Day. On a personal note, instead of braving the cold across the river from Jersey City, my family would cluster around the TV, transfixed by the elaborate floats, giant balloons, and performances by marching bands and celebrities. The afternoon was a time to feel the human energy, to enjoy discussions, to hang around the kitchen savoring the smell of cooking, participate in the food preparation, and to relax before the big dinner. After dinner, when we were all stuffed to the gills, my family would play a group game, have a sing-fest, or chill out watching some of the televised professional football games.
Let’s not forget that many of us view Thanksgiving Day as a special time to volunteer in soup kitchens and food banks that provide meals to those in need. I have always believed that “giving back” is a two-way street that benefits others and ourselves.
On the commercial side, Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the holiday shopping season, with Black Friday following closely on its heels as stores and online sites offer significant discounts.
In a spirit of appreciation and goodwill, whether you are sharing a meal with loved ones, watching a parade, volunteering, or doing something else on November 27—Happy Thanksgiving!
