In the US, Thanksgiving is a national holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November, kicking off the so-called, "Holiday Season." The origin of Thanksgiving dates back to the early 1600s, when a group of English pilgrims in present-day Massachusetts shared a feast with Native Americans to celebrate a plentiful harvest. The exact date of Thanksgiving varied from state to state until, in 1863, Abraham Lincoln finally declared it a national holiday.
On Thanksgiving, people in the US gather with their family and friends to eat, drink, and watch television, usually American football. Major cities also hold massive parades, complete with floats, marching bands and giant inflatable balloons. The most famous parade is the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.
For the Thanksgiving meal, Americans traditionally have a cooked turkey on their table that is accompanied with sides like mashed potatoes, gracy, and green bean casserole. Why do Americans eat turkey on Thanksgiving? No-one knows for sure why turkey became the staple of Thanksgiving dinner. Although, it is likely to be because the flightless bird is native to the North Americas.
While food, parades, and sports keep the holiday fun, the heart of Thanksgiving is to take a moment from busy lives to share a meal with your loved ones and be grateful. Many families also choose to share their gratitiude on Thanksiving. They volunteer to serve meals at local soup kitchens or nursing homes, which is a great way to make sure everyone has someone with whom they can celebrate Thanksgiving!