Thanksgiving: What does Thanksgiving mean and what is its history in the United States

It is celebrated on November 27th Thanksgiving DayOne of the most important holidays in the United States. Every year, families come together Share a dinner whose main course is roast turkey. The history of this tradition It dates back to 1621With the presence of English colonists in North American lands.

the first “Thanksgiving”, known in English as Thanksgiving, It happened in the fall of 1621, when English settlers in Plymouth (part of present-day Massachusetts) They celebrated their first successful harvest with a banquet.

During the three-day celebration, settlers and indigenous people shared turkeys, pumpkins, and dried fruits for a successful harvest. Getty Images

For this occasion, They invited members of the Wampanoag tribe, They got food to survive the last winter. Therefore, in this three-day celebration, The settlers and indigenous people shared turkeys, pumpkins, and dried fruits. According to the instructions National Geographic.

In 1789, then-President George Washington declared Thanksgiving the Day of Thanksgiving National holiday That year it was celebrated on November 26. For years it has been celebrated in every state on different days.

In 1789, then-President George Washington declared Thanksgiving a national holiday. Library of Congress

To celebrate it on the same day, Abraham Lincoln in 1863 declared that the last Thursday of November be observed in all states. Later, in 1941Congress declared this day a holiday.

Thanksgiving is celebrated in American homes Family gatherings And dinner with abundant dishes. The evening menu varies by region Boston University:

The bird’s presence at dinner occurred shortly after 1621, because it was an easy bird to raise and large enough to feed several people.Mike Hausholder – AFP

Although the dishes are different he turkey It’s something that can’t be missed at parties. According to BBCThe presence of the bird at dinner occurred shortly after 1621, and has since been mentioned It was an easy-to-breed bird and of a decent size. To feed several people.

In the White House, the tradition of celebrating Thanksgiving is maintained. It is known as “Turkish pardon”It is a ceremony in which the president saves the life of a specimen of this species and keeps it from ending up on someone’s table during the holidays.

A turkey pardon is a ceremony in which the president of a North American country spares the life of a specimen of the species and saves it from ending up on someone’s table during Thanksgiving.

according to White House Stories sectionLincoln is also credited with the first turkey pardon. Even if it’s for Christmas.

According to reporter Noah Brooks in 1865, the then-president’s son became very fond of… Türkiye dinner Who asked his father to prevent the animal from being killed. The bird survived.

Although it is not known whether this has been done since The tradition of continuous forgivenessHistorical records indicate that in 1963 a similar action was repeated before john f. Kennedywho simply asked for someone to be allowed Turkeys It’s scheduled to be dinner.