Why America celebrates Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving holiday falls on the fourth Thursday of every month after Abraham Lincoln named it a national holiday during the civil war in 1863.

But that is not when thanksgiving started. The holiday became a tradition back in 1621 when the pilgrims invited their Native American allies and the Wampanoag nation chief to join them in a feast of celebration that lasted three days. The meals most likely consisted of a mix between Native American cuisine and pilgrim cuisine, but there very well could have been a turkey.

The second unofficial Thanksgiving fell in 1623, celebrating the end of a long and hard drought that faced the pilgrims. Beginning after the American revolution, presidents designated days of the year to celebrate family and give thanks.

Although Thanksgiving continued to grow in the North, the South rarely celebrated the holiday. It wasn’t until Sarah Josepha Hale dedicated 36 years of her life to get Thanksgiving to become a national holiday. She sent letters to politicians and government officials explaining why Thanksgiving needs to become a permanent holiday in America, and eventually she was successful.

It became an established holiday during the middle of the civil war. Abraham Lincoln may have used this as a tactic to unite the nation together. Either way, Thanksgiving is now celebrated every year with relatives, friends, and an abundance of good food.

Turkey is the most popular dish on Thanksgiving. Whether you like turkey or not, it’s a tradition to cook one. According to republicworld, “The National Turkey Federation, NTF has estimated that approximately 46 million turkeys are eaten at every Thanksgiving”.

Other dishes people enjoy are mashed potatoes, stuffing, pumpkin pie, cranberry sauce, rolls, and even Mac and cheese.

Thanksgiving is really a holiday you can make your own. There are so many fall themed dishes to choose from. Apart from the food, most people would say spending quality time with family is the most important aspect of thanksgiving. People spend the day playing games, watching movies, or simply just hanging out. Since 1621, Thanksgiving has been about gathering together and expressing gratitude for everything life has to offer.

Sources:
Republic world https://www.republicworld.com/amp/lifestyle/festivals/how-many-turkeys-are-
eaten-on-thanksgiving-day-see-details-here.html

History.com
https://www.history.com/.amp/topics/thanksgiving/history-of-thanksgiving