When is Thanksgiving 2017?
In America, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November, so this year will be on November 23.
It is usually followed by a crazy day of bagging bargains with Black Friday following the day after.
The USA isn't the only nation to mark celebrations - Canada, Puerto Rico, Grenada and Liberia do so too.
In Canada, the national holiday takes place on the second Monday of October.
What is Thanksgiving?
Thanksgiving is a public holiday, originating as the harvest festival.
It is now celebrated every year and, along with Christmas and New Year, is part of the broader “holiday season”.
The story goes that back in 1620 Pilgrims landed on American soil and settled in an area they named Plymouth just south of where Boston is today.
Unfortunately for those who'd immigrated, they settled in the beginning of what turned out to be a harsh winter, meaning rations were tight and times were hard.
When spring came the Pilgrims went out to plant and grow their own crops and were helped by a native American named Squanto.
Squanto taught them how to fish and hunt as well as showing them how to plant corn, pumpkins and squash.
With these new found skills they were able to store up enough food to be sure that they would be equipped to face the harsh winter months.
The grateful pilgrims invited the Native Americans to join them for a huge harvest feast which has since become known as Thanksgiving.
How is Thanksgiving celebrated?
The tradition has continued for hundreds of years since and is celebrated with a lots of delicious food and wine.
A typical Thanksgiving menu consists of roast turkey, roasted sweet potato casserole and winter vegetables - a plate that resembles a British Christmas dinner.
This is then topped off with a pumpkin pie with a walnut crust.
Each year, the President of the USA "pardons" at least one turkey, which becomes the national Thanksgiving bird that's granted reprieve from execution.
This has been a long-standing tradition for decades.
In New York City, there is an annual Thanksgiving Day parade.
From 9am to 11am Eastern time, revellers can watch numerous floats and entertainers make their way through the bustling streets.
Via: thesun.co.uk
No comments:
Post a Comment