History and Traditions

Thanksgiving History

Thanksgiving is always celebrated, in the United States, on the fourth Thursday in November. President Abe Lincoln  in 1863, proclaimed a national day of "Thanksgiving and Praise to our Father who dwells in Heaven." Americans commonly think of the first Thanksgiving as the one celebrated by the Pilgrims and the Indians at Plymouth, Massachusetts. It wasn't until 1941 that President Roosevelt actually signed the bill which made the Thanksgiving holiday a federal holiday. Thank you Mr. President.

Traditional foods in the United States are of course the turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, and of course the fall-type vegetables like turnips, squashes, pumpkins (as in pie!).

In a lot of homes across America the meal begins with someone saying grace. A prayer. A thank you of some sort. Giving Thanks!

Thanksgiving is the beginning of a big travel season. Thanksgiving usually consists of a four day weekend, for many people, so it can be a huge travel weekend. I prefer to stay home and avoid the highways and sky ways. 

A holiday tradition (even at my house) includes the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. When we get up in the morning the TV is turned on and the parade is watched while fixing dinner. My husband LOVES the parade. 

And then after the meal, while the dishes are done and the kitchen is cleaned, all those who love football gather in another room for the big games of the day. Not my cup of tea. But most of the guys (and a few of the ladies) in my family love the games.

Usually people start to wander off later in the afternoon. Either to their homes or to the homes of other family members awaiting them for an evening celebration. At my house, it is time to haul out all the food left-overs and do it all again. Time for that first turkey sandwich.

Moaning and groaning and stuffed like a turkey we will call it a day!

We are at day 9 of my 30 Day Thanksgiving challenge. The other posts I have written can be found here. 

I love the history and the traditions of Thanksgiving. What do you love?