Thanksgiving is celebrated as a national holiday in the United States to give thanks for the blessings of the past year. The tradition dates back to 1621 when the Plymouth colonists and the Wampanoag Native Americans shared an autumn harvest feast. This event is often considered the first Thanksgiving celebration.

In 1863, during the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day to be held each November. The holiday has since become a time for families and friends to gather, share a meal, and express gratitude for the good things in their lives.

********

Some Trivia

Thanksgiving in the United States is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November each year. This date was officially set by an act of Congress in 1941. Here's a quick rundown of how the date was determined:

Early Celebrations: The original Thanksgiving feast in 1621 didn't have a fixed date but was likely in late September or early October.

Various Dates: Different states celebrated Thanksgiving on different dates for many years.

Lincoln's Proclamation: In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day to be held on the last Thursday of November.

Roosevelt's Change: In 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt moved Thanksgiving to the third Thursday of November to extend the holiday shopping season, but this was met with mixed reactions.

Final Decision: In 1941, Congress passed a law fixing the date as the fourth Thursday in November.

This ensures that Thanksgiving stays within the same week each year, providing consistency for holiday planning and celebrations.