Thanksgiving in the USA

Every year, on fourth Thursday of November the most important holiday season falls in the USA. In Canada it’s the second Monday of October. What we really want to know is how did it all come about or is it all just about the shopping and turkey?

It is a time for celebration and to gather family and friends for a feast fit for a king. We have all heard about the famous ‘Black Friday’ sales that happen around about this time of year. But what is the true story behind the festivities? How did it all begin?

The tradition of Thanksgiving does have some cross over with harvest festivals, similar to those celebrated all over the world at harvest time. The Native People of North America have always held ceremonies to give thanks for successful harvests. However, it goes a little deeper than that. In 1863 President Abraham Lincoln's Proclamation made it an official holiday. The history goes back even further. Let us take you bake to 1621, to North America…

In this year the Pilgrims had made their way over from Europe and had settled on the East Coast of America. After Landing at Plymouth Rock they started to struggle to farm the land for food and use it to its full advantage.

The Native Americans had used this land for generations, so decided to work with the Pilgrims rather than living as two separate communities.

After they worked together to help make the land plentiful and produce crops and livestock, they were much more success as a team. By the communities working together they managed to produce a huge feast and kept the tradition up every harvest time.

SEE ALSO: Life in the USA as an ExpatWoman

There are conflicting historical documents that vary the location of the first ever Thanksgiving. Florida, Texas, Maine and Virginia all have strong claims. There are many conflicting takes of how the first Thanksgiving came about. The stories have been lost, changed and merged with it becoming a much more commercial holiday.

It's themes hold the same thread through out all version of events. It is about difference cultures and communities coming together and celebrating over a great feast and being thankful for the blessings they have in their lives. Something anyone from any country can relate to.

Happy Holidays to all those who are celebrating from EW.