Your English guide to American Thanksgiving!
Thanksgiving is an annual holiday in the U.S.A and Canada to celebrate the harvest.
The American Thanksgiving is believed to be based on a Harvest Feast in 1621. The English colonists known as the 'Pilgrims' shared a meal with the 'Wampanoag people'. There are many stories and legends about this event.
Nowadays typical Thanksgiving foods are turkey, stuffing, potatoes, cranberries and pumpkin pie. This holiday is often the busiest of the year, as families come together to celebrate.
A quick history lesson
In September 1620, 102 people left Plymouth, England on a ship called the Mayflower. The passengers were a variety of religious separatists who wanted a new home to practice their faith and others who were seeking a new life in the 'New World'. The trip across the Atlantic took 66 days they eventually dropped anchor near a place called Cape Cod, but this was much further north than the destination they were aiming for. One month after their arrival, the 'Pilgrims', as they are commonly known, established a village. They called this village New Plymouth, named after their departure location in England.
In November 1621, the Pilgrims' had their first successful harvest of corn. The Governor at that time organized a feast to celebrate the success. This feast was attended by 90 Wampanoag people, including their chief, and 53 Pilgrims. It lasted for three days!
This is now remembered as America's 'first Thanksgiving'. But less widely known is an earlier Thanksgiving celebration in Virginia in 1619 by English settlers, who had just landed at Berkeley Hundred on the ship 'Margaret'.
Thanksgiving Dinner
Thanksgiving Traditions
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Macy's is a department store that holds a Thanksgiving Parade each year. In New York City thousands of people line the streets to watch the giant inflatable balloons travel amongst the skyscrapers. It has quickly become one of the most famous Thanksgiving traditions.
Breaking the wishbone
The wishbone is a Y-shaped breast bone, after carving the turkey, the 'wishbone' is put to one side. Once the meal is over, two people make their wishes and break the wishbone. Ancient Romans believed that chicken bones held the power of good fortune. When two people pulled apart a wishbone, the person left with the larger piece would receive good luck.
Watch an American football game
American Football is the most watched sport in the U.S on Thanksgiving. This is not a recent addition to Thanksgiving, games have been played on Thanksgiving Day since as early as 1876! Families and Friends will often gather around to support their favorite teams and watch the T.V together. Some people will even play tag football to burn off those extra calories!
Eat a traditional Thanksgiving meal
Thanksgiving wouldn't be complete without a traditional meal. The side dishes may vary across the U.S (just look at that map!), but roast turkey, cranberry sauce, potatoes and gravy are all must haves! If that wasn't enough then there are also an assortment of desserts. Most famous of all: pumpkin pie!
via zippia.com
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