Thanksgiving: Meaning and History |

This article is about Thanksgiving. You’ll learn the meaning and history behind Thanksgiving Day and learn about the traditions that shape this holiday. This article will help you better understand American history and culture.

This topic is part of the English subject and extends the topic of regional studies.

Meaning of Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a Festival of Gratitude, which is particularly celebrated in the United States and Canada. It’s Thanksgiving Day there National holidaywhich for many Americans is the biggest family party of the year represents. Because Thanksgiving can be celebrated regardless of race or religion, for many Americans, this day is even more important than Christmas.

The American Thanksgiving differs significantly from the European harvest festival. Unlike the European harvest festival, which for many people is rather unimportant, Thanksgiving Day in the USA is celebrated in a big way. On this holiday, Americans often gather with family or friends to cook the famous turkey together and enjoy the big feast.

When is Thanksgiving celebrated?

Thanksgiving Day has been officially observed in the United States since 1941 fourth Thursday in November celebrated.

For pupils and students, classes are canceled for a few days from the fourth Thursday in November. In some states, such as California, Florida or Texas, employees are given the Friday after Thanksgiving off. Many Americans in other states take this so-called Black Friday as a bridging day and use the long weekend to make the long journey home or to visit friends or family members. For this reason, at the end of November, there are often long traffic jams on the roads and overcrowded train stations or airports.

The meaning of today’s Thanksgiving

The name Thanksgiving («thanksgiving’) already indicates the meaning. This holiday is the expression of gratitude. In everyday life, you quickly forget how well you are actually doing and take many things for granted. Then, on Thanksgiving Day, Americans come together to remember the importance of Thanksgiving and give thanks for the good things in life.

The story behind Thanksgiving

There are differing views on the origin of Thanksgiving. However, none of these stories about the first Thanksgiving in history have been proven.

Arrival of the Pilgrim Fathers

One such tale says that Thanksgiving comes for the first time in the year 1621 was celebrated. the pilgrim fathers landed at a year earlier Plymouth Rock in Massachusetts and had to endure a cold winter there. In the end they were able to survive because the Wampanoag, a Native American tribe, have offered to help them. Following this, the colonists and the Wampanoag reportedly celebrated a three-day harvest festival. Since then, the American Thanksgiving Day has been celebrated every year.

Arrival of the Spaniards

Others believe that Thanksgiving is already here 1541 has arisen. At that time they reached Spanish colonists the «New World» and celebrated their safe arrival and finding food with a festival.

There are many other stories about the first Thanksgiving, of which nobody knows what actually took place. What is clear, however, is that on Thanksgiving Day, then and now, gratitude, being together and helping each other are in the foreground.

Thanksgiving traditions

Depending on the family or circle of friends, the traditions for this holiday differ. It is common for most Americans to spend the day together with grandparents, parents, children and friends as well as with neighbors, colleagues or other acquaintances. No one should be alone on this day. Various customs can then be practiced with fellow human beings, which are repeated every fourth Thursday in November.

Thanksgiving food

Before, during or after eating there is often a Thanksgiving from the head of the family. In turn, the relatives can also reveal what they are grateful for this year and express wishes for the future. With the holiday meal, people are meant to at this Thanksgiving Day reminded of the pilgrims will. For this reason, the traditional dinner includes certain dishes that are said to have existed since the first Thanksgiving.

• Roasted Turkey: Many Americans refer to Thanksgiving as “Turkey Day”. It often takes the whole day to prepare the stuffed turkey. The turkey, which weighs up to 15 kilograms, is often stuffed with bread, chestnuts or oysters. The turkey is then roasted in the oven for several hours.

• Baked Ham: The baked ham can be prepared either as an alternative to turkey or at the same time as an additional dish.
• Side dishes: Traditional side dishes include sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, cornbread, cranberry sauce, and assorted vegetables.
• Dessert: For dessert, there’s often pecan pie, pumpkin pie, and/or apple pie.
• Beverages: Many Americans drink autumnal drinks at this time of year, such as apple cider or various cocktails with cinnamon, cranberries or ginger. Beer is also a popular drink at Thanksgiving.

After the meal, it is customary at this Thanksgiving to Wishbone, i.e. a wishbone of the turkey, to break. This is a custom in which two people hold the wishbone and pull it apart with their finger. The person who ends up with the larger piece of turkey can then make a wish. In addition to the customs during the dinner together, there are many other traditions that take place on this day.

Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade

Every year, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade takes place on the streets of New York City. The Americans can follow them on site or live on television. Not only the chapels, floats and Broadway performers are special about this 4-kilometer parade, but above all the giant balloons (“Floats”), which come in various colors and shapes. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade isn’t the only one, but it’s by far the one most famous Thanksgiving parade in the country.

american football

Several are running late in the evening on Thanksgiving Day College football and NFL games on TV. This year’s football teams in the American professional league NFL (National Football League) include the Chicago Bears, the Las Vegas Raiders and the Buffalo Bills. Watching these football broadcasts with family and friends on this holiday is a tradition for many Americans.

Role of the President

A few days before the holiday, the President of the United States appears before the press and gives a speech about the most important events of the past year or the coming year. The President dedicates his Thanks to the people.

In addition to this, there is another custom related to the turkey. At the official National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation Each year, breeders’ associations present the President with a live turkey. Originally, the turkey was supposed to be slaughtered that day and served as a Thanksgiving feast for the President’s family. In 1963, John F. Kennedy became the first US President in history to want to keep the turkey alive. George HW Bush then introduced one in 1989 formal pardon of the turkey a what is today also called National Thanksgiving Turkey Pardoning Ceremony is known. Instead of being slaughtered, the pardoned turkeys will be presented at the Thanksgiving Parade on the holiday and then at the Walt Disney World Resort.

The days after Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Thursday is all about spending time with loved ones. On the following days other things are in the foreground. Although many states give their employees the days off after Thanksgiving, neither is Black Friday still Cyber ​​Monday an official holiday in the United States.

Black Friday

The Friday after Thanksgiving rings the bell Christmas season and is known as Black Friday. Retailers offer specials on Black Friday height discounts where customers can snag bargains and do Christmas shopping. Accordingly, Black Friday in the United States is the busiest day of the year. Other countries including Germany now also have a Black Friday with numerous special offers in November.

Cyber ​​Monday

For several years, the Monday after Thanksgiving and Black Friday has been known as so-called Cyber ​​Monday. Similar to Black Friday, there are numerous on Cyber ​​Monday discountshowever, on online shopping platforms are to be found. With the help of the online retailer Amazon, Cyber ​​Monday also caught on in Germany in November.