Thanks giving?

Question

To Americans, when do you celebrate thanks giving, why do you celebrate it, where does the tradition come from, and do you still celebrate it annually, very religiously? And is that day a public holiday over there? And do all 51 states celebrate thanks giving?

Answer 1

Thanks Giving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November and it is recognized as a national holiday. It is celebrated every year and most people I know do participate in the traditional meal of turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing (dressing), yams and a whole bunch of other foods. The dessert is traditionally Pumpkin Pie.
The history of Thanks Giving comes from when the first English settlers came to America and had a harvest celebration with the local Indians. Here is a link that lays out a detailed history better than I could do:

http://www.didyouknow.cd/thanksgiving.htm

Hope this helps and have a great day!!!

P.S. We only have 50 states- not 51.

Answer 2

Thanksgiving is an odd holiday. It is on the calander but the President has to declare that day, always on the 4th Thursday of November, as a National Day of Thanksgiving yearly.
The tradition comes from a feast that the original Mayflower Pilgrims and the indigenous people of the country had. It was not called Thanksgiving and was not a holiday then.
Thanksgiving is just a day we take out of the year to reflect on things such as: family, friends, health. There is no set way to celebrate it but many people still do the traditional Turkey feast.

Answer 3

Thanksgiving is the last thursday of November. Yes it is a National holiday here in the states. When did we get 51 states? There are only 50 stars on the flag.
Yes it is a religious holiday to some. Alot of people watch football games on tv that weekend. The shopping malls and department stores have huge sales that weekend to get ready for Christmas.
'The tradition of Thanksgiving comes from the pilgrims and their celebration after the first hard cold winter that they survived so they gave thanks.

Answer 4

The US Virgin Islands are considered a state, so that is probably where she came up with 51 states ... or maybe Washington, DC, but it's not a state.

Anyway, the whole country celebrates Thanksgiving on the 4th Thursday of November and this year it is November 23rd. The tradition started when the pilgrims landed in what is now Massachusetts where they shared a bountiful crop with the Indian who taught them how to survive. It's a day to give thanks. Yes, it is celebrated every year, usually with big family get together with a meal of turkey and dressing, ham, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potatoes, corn, cranberry sauce, hot rolls and pumpkin pie, followed by a football game on t.v.

Others make their own tradition, but it usually revolves around food and a relaxing day.

Answer 5

It's a BIG American holiday celebrated by the entire
country. When the Prigrims settled here it was hard
being in a new land. The Native American Indians
showed them how to help their crops grow, and gave
them Maize= corn. They survived a hard winter, so the next Fall they, and the Indians had a freast.
They gave thanks to God for living in the new land, making friends, having food so they could eat together. The winters looked better as they learned to survive.

Family, and friends today usually spent the day together, celebrating with a big meal. Many give thanks to God because they are able to get together, and share the meal.
Canada has the holiday on a different date.

Answer 6

Thanksgiving is celebrated on the 4th Thursday of November (This year it will be on the 23rd).

We celebrate Thanksgiving every year to give thanks to Almighty God for all His blessings and mercies toward us throughout the year.

We can trace this historic American Christian tradition to the year 1623. After the harvest crops were gathered in November 1623, Governor William Bradford of the 1620 Pilgrim Colony, "Plymouth Plantation" in Plymouth, Massachusetts proclaimed:
"All ye Pilgrims with your wives and little ones, do gather at the Meeting House, on the hill... there to listen to the pastor, and render Thanksgiving to the Almighty God for all His blessings."

Yes it is a public holiday.

Thanksgiving is observed by observed in Canada and United States. So, yes, all 51 states.

Answer 7

Well I am Canadian.I love American Thanksgiving.How the Pilgrims celebrated the first thanksgiving with the Native Americans.I love the food associated with Thanksgiving.Football is a big thing especially on that day.Of Course don't forget the Macy's Parade and don't forget the 4 day holiday you guys get as well.

Answer 8

What we call Thanksgiving (one word) celebrates a feast (the Pilgrims never would have a feast on what they called a day of thanks giving) with the local Indians.

It is a legal holiday, a major secular holiday, and the start of the secular Christmas shopping season.

Historically it was the last Thursday of November, but it was changed to the 4th (sometimes there are five) to prevent a very short shopping season.

Answer 9

There's only 50 states :-)

It's a national holiday and most places of business are closed on the last Thursday of November.

We celebrate it every year. It's tradition. Family, food, and Football.

Answer 10

We celebrate Thanksgiving every year with a big meal, friends and family. This year will be extra special because my son's birthday is on Thanksgiving Day just like the day he was born!!!