And on the fourth Thursday of November in the USA. From this day begins the festive season, which includes Christmas and continues until the New Year.
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✪ Why do people eat turkey on Thanksgiving? Who celebrates Thanksgiving and why?
✪ 11/23/2017. Thanksgiving Day. Salvation Church, Edgewood, WA
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Thanksgiving was originally a holiday of expressing gratitude and appreciation to God, as well as to family and friends for material well-being and kindness. In the traditional sense (inherent in agricultural cultures since ancient times), such a holiday at the end of autumn meant giving thanks to heaven for a rich harvest and an abundance of fruits. Since then, in the United States and Canada, this holiday has largely lost its religious roots and has become civil, generally accepted and nationwide.
This holiday has its roots deep in American history, to the very first settlers from England, who arrived on the shores of America in 1620 on the now famous Mayflower ship. They landed after a hard voyage across a stormy ocean in what is now Massachusetts on a frosty November day and founded the Plymouth Colony.
More than half of the approximately 100 arrivals could not survive the harsh winter and perished from cold, starvation and disease. The survivors established a colony and in the spring, with the help of local Indians, primarily Squanto, who taught them what crops and how to grow on this inhospitable rocky soil, they began to cultivate the land. An unexpectedly rich harvest was the reward for their efforts. First governor of the colonists W. Bradford offered to spend a day of giving thanks to the Lord. For a holiday in the fall of 1621, the Pilgrim Fathers invited the leader and 90 more Indians of the tribe that helped them survive in unfamiliar conditions. This meal, shared with the Indians, was the first Thanksgiving celebration. Subsequently, the colonists celebrated a good harvest with occasional Thanksgiving festivities.
After gaining independence and the emergence of a single state of the United States, the first president of the country, J. Washington, proposed to celebrate Thanksgiving Day as a national holiday annually on November 26.
In 1864, after the end of the Civil War, A. Lincoln proclaimed the last Thursday of November each year as Thanksgiving Day. In 1939, F. D. Roosevelt replaced this date with the penultimate Thursday of November, but his declaration was not binding. This caused a split among the states, with 23 states celebrating Thanksgiving on the penultimate Thursday, and 22 on the last. Other states (such as Texas) have declared both days as public holidays.
In 1941, the US Congress passed a bill according to which Thanksgiving Day should be celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. On December 26, 1941, Roosevelt signed this bill, thus establishing the scheme that has been in effect to this day.
Celebration traditions
According to an old tradition, several generations of the same family gather in the elders' house for a festive dinner. Everyone says words of thanksgiving for all the good things that happened in his life. On this day, modern Americans eat the same thing that their ancestors ate back in 1621 at the first Thanksgiving dinner.
Many dishes have become not only a tradition, but also a kind of symbols of the holiday: stuffed turkey with cranberry syrup and big sweet pumpkin pie. Bright young pumpkins, ears of "Indian" corn, apples, oranges, chestnuts, nuts, dry leaves and bunches of grapes hanging from the dish as if from a cornucopia, not only serve as a traditional table decoration, but also personify the abundance of autumn gifts of nature. Bouquets of golden, orange and red-brown chrysanthemums, complemented by branches with berries, complete the feeling of abundance and generosity of nature, a real celebration of a rich harvest.
Thanksgiving Day is a traditional American holiday that has been celebrated annually in the United States on the fourth Thursday of November since 1621. Thanksgiving means something different to different people, but for most, it's a time for feasting, parades, American football, family, friends, and, of course, turkey. For many, this is also the time when you can finally forget things, meet loved ones and have a good time in their company. On Thanksgiving Day, it is customary to say thank you for good deeds, for the people who are close to us and for those wonderful moments that happen in our lives. If you want to learn how to celebrate Thanksgiving, just follow the next steps.
Steps
Part 1
Holiday dinner preparation- Write a grocery list. Check what you already have and what you need to buy. Then go to the local market, butcher shop, supermarket and bakery. This division will help you break up the list into several parts, reducing the risk of forgetting or confusing something.
- Shop for the holiday ahead of time. Prepare the turkey in advance and those foods that sell out quickly during the holidays. If possible, freeze some ingredients so you don't have to run to the store at the last minute. It is better to buy pastries on the day of the holiday or bake at home on your own.
- You should also call guests and ask if they should be expected. During the conversation, ask if they can provide any assistance in preparing dinner. So you can unload yourself a little from work.
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Select recipes. If you know ahead of time what you'll be cooking, you'll be able to create a more accurate grocery list and calculate the cooking time for each dish. Here are some holiday menu ideas:
- Turkey: cook the turkey, stuff it and prepare it for the holiday table.
- Vegetables: prepare beans, potatoes, sweet potatoes, mashed pumpkin and
- Additions to dishes: Make cranberry sauce and buns.
- Bakery products: bake pumpkin pie, pumpkin burgers, cookies. You can also use pumpkin in other desserts.
- For Vegetarians: Make a vegan Thanksgiving dinner using tofu instead of turkey.
- Prepare various cuts, sweets and sandwiches for snacks. Thus, you will not starve your guests if dinner is scheduled for a later time. For children, you can also prepare sweets in the form of a turkey.
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Cooking food. Some dishes can be prepared the day before the holiday, such as cookies or pumpkin pie, other dishes need to be prepared exactly on the day of the holiday in order not to lose freshness (for example, turkey). Whenever you're cooking, don't be afraid to ask for help. This will make your life much easier during the holidays. You can also cook two small turkeys instead of one large one to make the process easier. Here's what you need to do while cooking:
- Allow sufficient time to defrost the turkey. Please note that this may take several days depending on the size and weight of the turkey.
- Make pumpkin pie or other baked goods the day before. This way you can concentrate on preparing Thanksgiving main dishes.
- Roast a turkey and finish the main dishes on the holiday itself. Practice stuffing the turkey ahead of time.
- Ask family members and friends who came earlier to help you in the kitchen to relieve yourself of some work.
Part 2
Pledge of a great time-
Set up a festive table. Decorate the dinner table the day before, if possible. If not, lay out all the accessories at the ready so that you can quickly decorate everything at the right time. Ask the children to help set the table. Let them also contribute to the preparation for the holiday. Table decoration methods:
- You can decorate the center of the table with anything related to Thanksgiving. You can look for themed decorations and decorations in the store or build your own. Ask for help from children or guests who have nothing to do.
- Scented candles, a bouquet of autumn flowers or a bowl of fruit are also not bad ideas for decorating the centerpiece of the table.
- You can also make themed nameplates or make these turkey nameplates.
- Build a turkey napkin holder.
- Make a flower decoration. You can put it on the table or decorate the interior.
- Make sure you have enough space for all guests. If you don't have enough chairs, kids can be seated on cushions at the coffee table.
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Enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving pastime. You can do this before lunch, during or after. There are several Thanksgiving traditions that many families follow. Here are some of them:
- Gather around the TV and watch American football. Many fans sit in front of the TV for hours watching matches. In addition, it helps to brighten up the time before lunch. You can also play American football with your friends, neighbors and family members in your backyard. It's fun and helps whet your appetite!
- Take the kids and watch the Thanksgiving Parade on TV. Broadcasting is carried out from New York. The parade is very popular and millions of Americans watch it at home. If time permits, take a break from business and visit a local parade or watch it on TV.
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Take some time to understand what Thanksgiving means. Thanksgiving is a chance for many families to be reunited for the first time in many years, a good time to reflect on love and care for others, as well as to realize what you feel grateful for. Consider how your family expresses this gratitude. Here are some guesses:
- Play a game from A to Z. Everyone should sit side by side so they can hear each other well. Everyone around the circle should say what he feels grateful for, based on the letter of the alphabet that he got. For example, I am grateful to the G-brothers or I am grateful for the care of relatives. Continue until the alphabet is complete. You can capture this game on video.
- You can also come up with your own Thanksgiving tradition.
- This is a great time to start a journal and set yourself the goal of keeping it until the next Thanksgiving. In this diary, you will express gratitude to other people or joyful events in your life for the whole next year.
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Help those less fortunate in this life. Donate money to some charitable foundation, take toys or clothes to a shelter, give to a homeless person, etc. This will set a good example for your children and teach them to express gratitude for what they have.
Consider afternoon activities. After eating, everyone will feel a little sleepy and full. It's time for relaxing activities. Ideas to inspire you:
- Go for a walk with your family. Do not forget to take the dog for a walk, especially if the dog also ate too much at the holiday.
- Entertain your guests. Play charades, tell stories, view photos, share news, and more.
- Read something. It's time to read something that you have long wanted to read, but could not because of lack of time.
- Watch a movie. Search a TV program for a suitable movie or pull out your favorite DVD.
- Play board games. If the children are still active, invite them to come up with a board game and then play it.
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If you feel sleepy after dinner, take a nap. If you have a busy day ahead of you, extra sleep won't hurt you. If you don't have to go anywhere, it's still okay if you take a nap on the couch. You will feel better and energized for the next day.
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Take some time to put away the rest of your food. Even if the guests take some of the preparations with them, chances are that the next day you will have a ton of untouched food. Recharged with energy, you can cook delicious dishes from leftover food. For instance:
- Turkey casserole and toppings
- Turkey soup
- Turkey sandwiches
- Thanksgiving leftover sandwiches
- Chopped turkey with potatoes and vegetables
- Use leftover food for other meals
- Clean the house for a few days. This way, you can enjoy the holiday and pay more attention to the family, rather than cleaning.
- If you decide to try something new, prepare this dish in advance to taste it and determine if it is easy to prepare. You will also understand whether to add more salt, sugar, etc.
- A traditional turkey dinner is not the main indicator of Thanksgiving. If you have ham instead of turkey, this will not change the significance of the holiday in the least.
- If this is your first time making a traditional holiday dinner, opt for simple recipes. If something goes wrong, it will be easier for you to re-prepare a simple dish than an exquisite one.
- If you are hosting guests, make sure you have dietary or healthy options on your table. Consider if guests have any allergies or preferences for vegetarian food.
- It's okay if you buy a few ready-made meals. Not everyone has the time or the ability to cook every meal from start to finish.
Plan your menu ahead of time. The traditional menu includes turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, several types of vegetables (such as sweet potatoes and zucchini), cranberry sauce, various pies and bread. Here's what you'll need to prepare your holiday dinner:
Thanksgiving is the holiday we used to see in the movies: with a turkey, an American flag and, of course, smiles. In America, Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November.
Thanksgiving is the holiday we used to see in the movies: with a turkey, an American flag and, of course, smiles. In America, Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. This day marks the beginning of the Christmas holidays.
The history of Thanksgiving goes back to the distant 17th century. Initially, it was a celebration of expressing gratitude to God and surrounding loved ones for all the good things. If you dig even deeper, then, theoretically, it was at this time that the deities were thanked for the harvest and the fruits brought this year. But from century to century, the holiday lost its religiosity, becoming more civil and generally accepted.
Thanksgiving history goes as follows. The first settlers to the shores of America arrived from England in 1620 on the Mayflower ship on a stormy frosty November day. Immediately, the newcomers established a colony, but less than half of the newly minted Americans survived the harsh, unexpected winter.
Spring marked a new period in the history of settlers. They learned to cultivate the land with the help of local Indians, tried in every possible way to grow at least some products. And the hard work of the inhabitants of the colony was rewarded - by the autumn they received a rich harvest. Everyone was so delighted that they decided to celebrate this event. In 1621, the Pilgrim Fathers invited Indians to visit and help them grow food. The women prepared a solemn meal, and all those present thanked God and each other for help and support. It was the very first American holiday, which was celebrated from time to time.As soon as the United States won independence, the Thanksgiving date was moved back and forth, but in 1941 it was settled on the fourth Thursday of November.
Thanksgiving is a gathering of several generations of a family in the home of the oldest. Everyone prepares dinner, which necessarily includes stuffed turkey, pumpkin pie, corn, baked chestnuts, apples, oranges, grapes and other berries and fruits. At the festive table, each member of the family thanks others for all the good things that happened this year.
As you can see, Thanksgiving is a very kind and joyful holiday! So if you want to be in solidarity with the Americans - bake a turkey this Thursday and say good words to your relatives, we are sure they will like it!
How many holidays are there in the world? This question is almost impossible to answer. And not because there are many of them, but because in each country, in addition to the traditional ones (for example, Christmas, New Year,) there are also other national ones. Some are quite young - appeared in the 20th century. Others are several centuries old. And what is surprising - they continue to be celebrated almost in their original form.
Of course, the people and the environment have changed, but the very essence of the holiday has remained unchanged. The most striking example is Thanksgiving in the United States. We will tell you in more detail what kind of holiday it is, where it came from and what it means.
background
In ancient times (of course, we are not talking about very distant centuries), people did not have shops, supermarkets. How to survive? Of course, to equip a small garden near the house (if the size of the land allowed, you can not waste time on trifles). As now, the inhabitants of Europe were going through difficult times, and if life became completely unbearable, they left their native lands and went to where, in their opinion, they could safely start everything from scratch. America was such a paradise for the Europeans of the New Age.
Far from all religious and political problems, it seemed to be the very corner that would shelter the exiles and give a chance for a new life. Many dreamed of going to this blessed land, but the distance and the raging Atlantic stopped many. The British were the first to decide on a dangerous and long journey. In 1620, the ship "Mayflower" (May flower) left the port of Plymouth. There were 102 people on it, including women and children. These were the first settlers. After several months of sailing, they moored at the easternmost point of the American continent and founded a small settlement here, which they also named Plymouth. Having built houses, the new inhabitants of America began to equip their life.
As already mentioned, there were no shops then, and it was possible to survive only with the help of natural products. But this method had one big BUT - weather conditions. Those who are happy owners of dachas and vegetable gardens know how the weather affects the harvest. The same thing happened 500 years ago. If nature favored the settlers, then the harvest was rich. And if not, the newly minted American citizens had a hard time. In those days, various religious habits were still strong, if the harvest was rich, people thanked God for help and prayed that the next year would be just as rich in food. This is where the tradition of celebrating Thanksgiving came from.
The first holiday was held on American soil in 1621. Invaluable help was provided by local residents - the Indians, who were invited to the celebration. After all, the settlers arrived in America only in November, when it was too late to sow anything. The winter was severe, many died. The Indians came to the aid of visitors (or rather, those who had sailed). The first celebration lasted three days. A real feast was arranged - there were turkeys, corn, fish, fruits and vegetables on the tables.
Of course, not only the first British sought to go overseas. Many Europeans from other countries also gradually reached out to new lands (everyone had their own reasons for immigration). Settling along the entire east coast of the American continent and going deeper, new Americans got used to new holidays, including Thanksgiving Day. They liked this celebration so much that not a single year lived in America could do without it. And the nationality of those who arrived here no longer mattered - Thanksgiving Day was celebrated by everyone without exception.
In the first years, it was considered unofficial and was celebrated only in those cases when a rich harvest was harvested. And the first president in 1789 declared Thanksgiving a state day and timed a certain date for it - the fourth Thursday of November. True, in subsequent years, the dates changed (depending on the decrees of the presidents) - either the second or the third Thursday was offered. This dance continued until 1941, when President Franklin Roosevelt signed a decree on the last Thursday of November. This is how the holiday is celebrated to this day.
Holiday traditions
So how do you celebrate one of the main holidays in America? Let's start with the fact that, first of all, this is a family celebration, to which the whole family gathers, even if relatives are scattered throughout the country or even overseas. Traditionally, the main dish on the table is a turkey in cranberry sauce, which occupies a central place on the table.
The housewives also prepare pumpkin pie, various types of sauces, sweet potatoes - in a word, they copy (if possible) those dishes that were on the tables of the first colonists. Houses these days are decorated with garlands, straw figurines, wreaths, flowers - mostly red, orange, golden and brown colors, identified with autumn and the harvest of ripe fruits.
An integral part of Thanksgiving Day are parades - with masks, costumes, huge inflatable dolls - heroes of various cartoons. People dress up as Indians, declaring gratitude in this way to those tribes that helped the first settlers survive in those harsh conditions. The largest parade is held in New York.
It can be said without exaggeration that Thanksgiving Day is one of the most beloved holidays by US citizens, a great opportunity to visit your family and friends, gather around the same table and thank God not for the harvest, but for the fact that all relatives are healthy, that there are financial opportunities . These days, you can participate in charity events by donating money, food or clothes to the homeless. And of course, it is impossible not to clarify that it is from this holiday that the Christmas fairy tale begins - Christmas trees appear, shops are filled with goods with a theme. Gradually, America is preparing for the New Year and. But Thanksgiving holds a special place in the heart of every citizen.
Thanksgiving Day is a national, family holiday of Americans, which is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. Relatives and friends gather at a large common table to thank the Almighty for all the good moments that they had in the past year.
Where did this holiday come from?
In 1620, in November, the English migrated to North America for the first time. The settlers traveled to the continent on the Mayflower ship for several months in terrible cold. Most of them died due to severe frosts and hunger. The survivors under the leadership of William Bradford, with the help of local Indians, were able to establish a colony and began to cultivate the land, build houses and grow crops.
In the autumn of 1621, the colonists unexpectedly received a very large harvest, and then Bradford suggested that everyone gather at a single table and, thanks to God, celebrate this day. A tribe of Indians brought with them four birds, later called the turkey.
Today it is one of the important attributes of this celebration. In the future, the settlers celebrated the holiday only when a good harvest was harvested.
thanksgiving traditions
What is this celebration?
going to church
All relatives gather together, and before the meal they go to the service in order to say words of gratitude to the Almighty in the temple of the Lord.
Dinner table
According to tradition, on this day, several generations of families stay at their parents' house, even if they live in different cities. Sitting at a common table, they turn to the Lord and to each other in turn, thanking for peace and harmony. With a great sense of patriotism, all together will definitely say the following phrase: "God save America."
No dinner is complete without stuffed turkey and pumpkin pie. At least one of the birds must be pardoned and not end up on the table in the form of a roast. Every year on this holiday, the president pardons a turkey by sending it to the zoo.
Writing songs, poetry
Residents of the United States compose songs, poems, poems in honor of this day.
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Watching the match of the national football team
This has become a very recent Thanksgiving tradition. The whole family gathers at the TV screens after dinner to cheer for their favorite team.
parades
On Thanksgiving Day, Americans dress up as Indians and settlers hold festive parades, often attended by world stars.
Crowds of dressed up people with music and huge inflatable toys in the form of cartoon characters or popular programs go out into the street to greet each other.
At the end of the evening, a solemn fireworks display will surely thunder. Every year the most famous parade is held in New York.
Charity events
On the eve of the holiday, Americans organize charity events. They try to help those in need. Tables with food are set up on the streets to feed the homeless, donation funds are organized at metro stations, where they collect money, toys, clothes, so that later they can distribute it all to the poor and sick.
Charity Day is a traditional holiday in the United States. All Americans are looking forward to its coming, preparing in advance, they stock up on turkey and come up with a costume for the parade. On this day, united by the spirit of patriotism, they become one. Families, gathering in full force, forget quarrels and misunderstandings, forgive each other all insults.
This event teaches people to be merciful, friendly, understanding and responsive. No one will remain indifferent to such a religious celebration.