Thanksgiving !

Story of the original Thanksgiving

In 1620 a group of 102 people left Englad on a boat called the Mayflower. They arrived in the United States (in Plymouth, Massachusetts) a month later.

They were escaping religious persecution.

These people are referred to as pilgrims.

Story of the original Thanksgiving

When the pilgrims arrived to the United States they didn´t know how to harvest the land (grow food).

By the end of their first winter only half of the passaners aboard the Mayflower were still alive. They were miserable and starving.

Story of the original Thanksgiving

A Native American named Squanto, who learned English afer being kidnapped by an English sea captain helped the pilgrims.

He taught them how to harvest the land, catch fish, and befriend neighboring Native American tribes. Without his help, the pilgrims would have died.

Story of the original Thanksgiving

In 1621 the pilgrims celebrated their first successful harvest.

They invited Squanto and the neighboring Wamapoke Native American tribe to a big feast to express their gratitude for the help they received.

This event is remembered as the original Thanksgiving celebration.

Beginning of the official Thanksgiving

President Abraham Lincoln makes Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1863.

Urges Americans to in his Thanksgiving Proclamation to “set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise…”

Since 1863, Thanksgiving has been observed annually in the United States. It is celebrated the last Thursday of November.

Thanksgiving today Traditionally a holiday spent

with family.

Americans often will take off the day before (Wednesday) and the day after (Friday) of Thanksgiving to travel and see their extended family (aunts and uncles, cousins and grandparents). Busiest weekend to travel in the U.S.

The most important aspect of the holiday is the Thanksgiving dinner. Whole day is spent preparing the Thanksgiving meal.

The Turkey The most important part

of the meal is the turkey.

Usually baked or roasted.

The turkey is stuffed with bread crumbs/cubes “stuffing.”

Turkey is so important that Thanksgiving is sometimes known as “Turkey Day.”

The “Turkey Pardon” Every year the president of

the United States “pardons” one turkey (he lets the turkey live).

Tradition officially started with President Ronald Regan.

Now two turkeys are pardoned every year in case sometime happens to the original turkey.

In 2012 President Obama pardoned Cobbler and Gobbler, both 40-pound turkeys from Virginia.

Other famous foods: Stuffing

Other famous foods: Mashed potatoes with

gravy

Sweet potatoes

Cranberry sauce

Pumpkin pie

Macy’s Day Parade Huge parade in New

York City on Thanksgiving Day.

Known for large floats, balloons of cartoon characters and famous people, and marching bands.

The parade is televised and many families watch on Thanksgiving day.

American football American football games

take place on Thanksgiving day.

Many college teams play their final game of the season on Thanksgiving.

Families often watch or play football together on thanksgiving.

Black Friday The Friday following

Thanksgiving.

Major retailers open extremely early and offer very low prices.

People wait in long lines, stores get extremely crowded and sometimes the crowd is aggressive.

Giving thanks Thanksgiving day is a time

for people to give thanks for what they have.

Families often will go around and say what they are most thankful for that year.

Sometimes families give thanks to God, but it does not necessarily have to be religious.

Common to invite those who are without family to your Thanksgiving meal.