2007-11-21 19:59:26 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Thanksgiving
Actually, it started with the British tradition of the "Harvest Home".
The first Anglo settlers in Massachusetts, Separatists known as "Pilgrims", celebrated their survival and good harvest (after a first famine-winter in which many died) in the autumn of 1621 with a good old-fashioned English harvest feast combined with a "thanks-giving" to G-d, and utilizing the New World foods available. The holiday has been celebrated ever since. At first the event was ad hoc, whenever a colony or state decided, but was made an official national holiday, the last Thursday of November, when Sarah Josepha Hale, influential publisher of the Godey's Ladies Book, lobbied for it and President Abraham Lincoln consented.
The traditional meal is heavy on New World foods--turkey, cranberries, sweet potatoes, pumpkin (pie). However, that's unintentionally "symbolic", just traditional, and good seasonal eating.
Professional football has crowded in a bit, but most families I know take time out to count their blessings in some way.
2007-11-21 20:23:00 · answer #1 · answered by SheyneinNH 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It arose from one of the abiding myths about the founding of the USA. Although colonists had already landed on the new world before, the band, which included many Puritans sailing from Plymouth in the Mayflower, made land on Dec 16 in New England and promptly fell on their knees and thanked God for delivering them there. This later became institutionalised as a Thanksgiving dinner and holiday. But the Pilgrims did not celebrate Thanksgiving the next year, or any year thereafter, though some of their descendants later made a "Forefather's Day" that usually occurred on December 21 or 22. Today, Thanksgiving is the fourth Thursday of November. This was set by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1939 (approved by Congress in 1941), who changed it from Abraham Lincoln's designation as the last Thursday in November. But the Pilgrims' first Thanksgiving began at some unknown date between September 21 and November 9, most likely in very early October. The date of Thanksgiving was probably set by Lincoln to somewhat correlate with the anchoring of the Mayflower at Cape Cod, which occurred on November 21, 1620 .
2007-11-21 20:13:28 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Thanksgiving is the start of the holiday season to me. The reason it is celebrated though is because the pilgrims (the people who migrated to America because they were not a free people) came here and ate with the Indians. We come together as friends and family because we are thankful for each other. It is a time to remember what really matters in life and what you are most thankful for. And some really good food!
2007-11-22 06:03:21 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its our excuse for giving ourselves a little holiday before Christmas to get together to find out what everyone wants for Chrismas, get the decorations up, maybe get a little shopping done, watch some good television and just stuff yourselves silly. Truthfully the other answers you've gotten are a lot more on the point but I just thought you might appreciate a little humor.
2007-11-21 20:27:05 · answer #4 · answered by Sonie 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Andy,please could an American explain to a dumb American what "Thanks Giving" is all about, or should this Brit explain,unbelievable!.
2007-11-21 22:23:11 · answer #5 · answered by Countess 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It does date back to the Pilgrims and stuff, but go to websites about Thanksgiving history\tradition.
2007-11-21 20:08:55 · answer #6 · answered by ~*Tannysgurrl*~ 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It is our harvest celebration and nothing more. The kids will tell you about the pilgrims and natives. Not the point.
2007-11-21 20:04:22 · answer #7 · answered by InSeattle 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its a pagan harvest celebration that was converted to a patriotic celebration of togetherness as a political act. Oh yeah....look it up people!
2007-11-21 20:08:19 · answer #8 · answered by MonkeyMama 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
we were thankfull for rounding up all the indians and stealing their land and the indians taught the amerikans how to grow corn so they wouldnt starve..
2007-11-21 21:04:55 · answer #9 · answered by wishalot101 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Its about when they went to America and killed any native who stood in their way as they took over their country.
2007-11-21 20:05:11 · answer #10 · answered by Marky 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋