In the United States, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November, making it a movable holiday that can fall anywhere between November 22 and 28. This year, Thanksgiving will be celebrated on Thursday, November 24, 2023, and the following day, Friday, November 25, will be observed as a federal holiday.
Thanksgiving is a national holiday that is celebrated annually to express gratitude for the blessings of the past year, particularly for the harvest and the bounty of the land. It is also a time for family and friends to gather together and share a festive meal.
The tradition of Thanksgiving can be traced back to the early days of the American colonies. In 1621, the Pilgrims, who had recently arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts, celebrated a harvest feast with the Wampanoag Native Americans. This feast is considered to be the first Thanksgiving celebration in the United States.
what month is thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is celebrated in the United States on the fourth Thursday of November.
- November holiday
- Movable holiday
- Harvest festival
- Family gathering
- Feasting and gratitude
- Pilgrim and Wampanoag celebration
- First Thanksgiving in 1621
- National holiday since 1863
Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the blessings of the past year and to express gratitude for the people and things that make our lives rich and meaningful.
November holiday
Thanksgiving is a national holiday in the United States that is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. This means that Thanksgiving can fall anywhere between November 22 and 28, but it is always in November.
Thanksgiving is a time for family and friends to gather together and share a festive meal. It is also a time to reflect on the blessings of the past year and to express gratitude for the people and things that make our lives rich and meaningful.
The tradition of Thanksgiving can be traced back to the early days of the American colonies. In 1621, the Pilgrims, who had recently arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts, celebrated a harvest feast with the Wampanoag Native Americans. This feast is considered to be the first Thanksgiving celebration in the United States.
Thanksgiving became a national holiday in 1863, when President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed the last Thursday in November as a day of "national thanksgiving and praise." In 1941, Congress passed a law that permanently set Thanksgiving Day as the fourth Thursday in November.
Today, Thanksgiving is one of the most popular holidays in the United States. It is a time for families and friends to come together, enjoy a delicious meal, and celebrate all the good things in life.
Movable holiday
Thanksgiving is a movable holiday, meaning that it does not fall on the same date every year. This is because it is always celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November, which can vary between November 22 and 28.
The reason why Thanksgiving is a movable holiday is because it is tied to the harvest season. In the early days of the United States, Thanksgiving was celebrated at the end of the harvest season, when farmers had gathered their crops and were preparing for winter. The date of the harvest varied from year to year, so the date of Thanksgiving also varied.
In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed the last Thursday in November as a day of "national thanksgiving and praise." However, it was not until 1941 that Congress passed a law that permanently set Thanksgiving Day as the fourth Thursday in November.
The fact that Thanksgiving is a movable holiday can sometimes be confusing, especially for people who are planning to travel or host a Thanksgiving gathering. However, it is also a nice reminder that Thanksgiving is a holiday that is connected to the natural world and the changing seasons.
Here are some interesting facts about Thanksgiving as a movable holiday:
- The earliest Thanksgiving Day was on November 22, 1893.
- The latest Thanksgiving Day was on November 28, 1943.
- Thanksgiving has never fallen on November 30.
Harvest festival
Thanksgiving is a harvest festival. It is a time to celebrate the bounty of the harvest and to give thanks for the food that we have to eat. In the early days of the United States, Thanksgiving was celebrated at the end of the harvest season, when farmers had gathered their crops and were preparing for winter.
The tradition of celebrating a harvest festival dates back to ancient times. In many cultures, people would gather at the end of the harvest to give thanks to the gods for their bounty. These festivals were often accompanied by feasting, dancing, and music.
The Pilgrims, who celebrated the first Thanksgiving in 1621, brought the tradition of the harvest festival with them to America. They held a three-day feast with the Wampanoag Native Americans, and they gave thanks for the successful harvest that had helped them to survive their first year in the New World.
Today, Thanksgiving is still celebrated as a harvest festival in the United States. Families and friends gather together to share a meal and to give thanks for the good things in their lives. Many people also volunteer at food banks or soup kitchens on Thanksgiving Day, as a way of giving back to their communities.
Here are some of the traditional foods that are eaten at Thanksgiving dinner:
- Turkey
- Stuffing
- Mashed potatoes
- Cranberry sauce
- Pumpkin pie
Family gathering
Thanksgiving is a time for family and friends to gather together and celebrate. It is a day to reconnect with loved ones, share a meal, and enjoy each other's company.
- Traveling to be together
Many families travel long distances to be together for Thanksgiving. This can be a stressful time, but it is also a time to bond and create lasting memories.
- Cooking and eating together
Thanksgiving dinner is a feast, and it is often cooked and eaten together. This is a time for families to share their favorite recipes and to enjoy each other's company.
- Playing games and watching football
After dinner, many families play games or watch football together. This is a time to relax and have fun with loved ones.
- Reflecting on the year and giving thanks
Thanksgiving is also a time to reflect on the year and to give thanks for the good things in our lives. This can be done in a formal way, such as saying grace before dinner, or it can be done in a more informal way, such as simply sharing what we are grateful for with our loved ones.
Thanksgiving is a special holiday that is all about family and friends. It is a day to cherish the people in our lives and to celebrate all the good things that we have.
Feasting and gratitude
Thanksgiving is a time for feasting and gratitude. Families and friends gather together to share a meal and to give thanks for the good things in their lives.
The traditional Thanksgiving meal includes turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. However, many families also have their own unique Thanksgiving traditions. Some families might have a ham or a roast beef dinner, while others might have a vegetarian or vegan feast.
No matter what the food is, the most important part of Thanksgiving is the gathering of family and friends. It is a time to celebrate the people in our lives and to be grateful for all the good things that we have.
Gratitude is a key part of the Thanksgiving tradition. Before the meal, many families say grace or offer a prayer of thanks. This is a time to reflect on the year and to appreciate all the good things that have happened.
Thanksgiving is also a time to give back to the community. Many people volunteer at food banks or soup kitchens on Thanksgiving Day, as a way of giving thanks for their own good fortune and helping those who are less fortunate.
Pilgrim and Wampanoag celebration
The first Thanksgiving was a celebration between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Native Americans. It was a time of peace and friendship, and it helped to establish a lasting relationship between the two groups.
- Sharing food and culture
The Pilgrims and the Wampanoag shared a meal together, and they also shared their respective cultures. This was a time of learning and understanding for both groups.
- Playing games and having fun
The Pilgrims and the Wampanoag also played games and had fun together. This helped to build camaraderie and friendship between the two groups.
- Giving thanks for the harvest
The Pilgrims and the Wampanoag were both grateful for the harvest. They gave thanks for the food that they had to eat and for the peace that they had found with each other.
- Establishing a lasting relationship
The first Thanksgiving helped to establish a lasting relationship between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag. This relationship would continue for many years, and it would play an important role in the history of the United States.
The first Thanksgiving was a significant event in the history of the United States. It was a time of peace, friendship, and gratitude. It also helped to establish a lasting relationship between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Native Americans.
First Thanksgiving in 1621
The first Thanksgiving was celebrated in 1621 by the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Native Americans. The Pilgrims were a group of English settlers who had arrived in America on the Mayflower ship in 1620. They had a difficult first year in the New World, and many of them died from disease and starvation.
In the fall of 1621, the Pilgrims had a successful harvest. They were grateful for the food that they had to eat, and they wanted to share their good fortune with their Wampanoag neighbors. They invited the Wampanoag to a feast, and the two groups celebrated together for three days.
The first Thanksgiving was a time of peace and friendship between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag. They shared food and culture, and they played games and had fun together. They also gave thanks for the harvest and for the peace that they had found with each other.
The first Thanksgiving is considered to be the origin of the modern Thanksgiving holiday. It is a time for families and friends to gather together, share a meal, and give thanks for the good things in their lives.
Here are some interesting facts about the first Thanksgiving:
- The Pilgrims and the Wampanoag feasted for three days.
- The menu included turkey, venison, fish, corn, and pumpkin.
- The Pilgrims and the Wampanoag played games, such as archery and footraces.
- The first Thanksgiving was a time of peace and friendship between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag.
National holiday since 1863
Thanksgiving became a national holiday in the United States in 1863, when President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed the last Thursday in November as a day of "national thanksgiving and praise."
- Lincoln's proclamation
In his proclamation, Lincoln called on the American people to give thanks for the blessings that they had received during the Civil War, including the recent victories of the Union army.
- Permanent date in 1941
In 1941, Congress passed a law that permanently set Thanksgiving Day as the fourth Thursday in November. This was done in order to avoid confusion, as the last Thursday in November could sometimes fall in December.
- A day of feasting and gratitude
Thanksgiving is a day for families and friends to gather together, share a meal, and give thanks for the good things in their lives. It is also a day of rest and relaxation.
- A time for reflection
Thanksgiving is also a time for reflection. Many people use the holiday to think about the year that has passed and to appreciate all the good things that they have.
Thanksgiving is a special holiday that is enjoyed by people all across the United States. It is a day to celebrate family, friends, and all the good things in life.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about the month of Thanksgiving:
Question 1: What month is Thanksgiving in?
Answer 1: Thanksgiving is celebrated in the United States on the fourth Thursday of November.
Question 2: Why is Thanksgiving in November?
Answer 2: Thanksgiving is in November because it is a harvest festival. The Pilgrims celebrated the first Thanksgiving in November 1621, after they had a successful harvest.
Question 3: Is Thanksgiving always on the same day?
Answer 3: No, Thanksgiving is not always on the same day. It is a movable holiday, which means that it can fall anywhere between November 22 and 28.
Question 4: Why is Thanksgiving a movable holiday?
Answer 4: Thanksgiving is a movable holiday because it is tied to the harvest season. The date of the harvest varies from year to year, so the date of Thanksgiving also varies.
Question 5: What is the traditional Thanksgiving meal?
Answer 5: The traditional Thanksgiving meal includes turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie.
Question 6: What are some popular Thanksgiving activities?
Answer 6: Some popular Thanksgiving activities include gathering with family and friends, eating a big meal, watching football, and playing games.
Question 7: What is the history of Thanksgiving?
Answer 7: The history of Thanksgiving can be traced back to the first Thanksgiving celebration in 1621. The Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Native Americans celebrated together for three days, sharing food and culture.
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These are just a few of the frequently asked questions about Thanksgiving. For more information, you can visit the website of the Library of Congress.
Now that you know more about the month of Thanksgiving, here are a few tips for celebrating the holiday:
Tips
Here are a few tips for celebrating Thanksgiving:
Tip 1: Plan ahead.
Thanksgiving is a busy time of year, so it is important to plan ahead. This includes making reservations for travel and accommodations, as well as planning your menu and shopping list.
Tip 2: Get everyone involved.
Thanksgiving is a great time to get everyone in the family involved in the preparations. Kids can help with simple tasks, such as setting the table or making place cards. Older children and adults can help with more complex tasks, such as cooking or decorating the house.
Tip 3: Make it a potluck.
One way to make Thanksgiving easier is to have a potluck. This means that each guest brings a dish to share. This can help to lighten the load on the host or hostess, and it can also be a fun way to try new foods.
Tip 4: Take some time to relax.
Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate and enjoy the company of family and friends. However, it is also important to take some time to relax. Go for a walk, read a book, or just sit back and enjoy the day.
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These are just a few tips for celebrating Thanksgiving. With a little planning and effort, you can make sure that your Thanksgiving is a memorable one.
Now that you know more about the month of Thanksgiving and how to celebrate it, here is a brief conclusion to wrap things up:
Conclusion
Thanksgiving is a special holiday that is celebrated in the United States on the fourth Thursday of November. It is a time for family and friends to gather together, share a meal, and give thanks for the good things in their lives.
The tradition of Thanksgiving can be traced back to the first Thanksgiving celebration in 1621, when the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Native Americans feasted together for three days. Thanksgiving became a national holiday in 1863, and it has been celebrated every year since then.
Today, Thanksgiving is a day of feasting, gratitude, and reflection. Families and friends gather together to share a meal, play games, and watch football. Many people also volunteer at food banks or soup kitchens on Thanksgiving Day, as a way of giving back to their communities.
Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on the year that has passed and to appreciate all the good things that we have. It is also a time to be grateful for the people in our lives who make us happy and who support us.
Closing Message
I hope that this article has helped you to learn more about the month of Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is a special time of year, and I encourage you to celebrate it with your loved ones.