Thanksgiving Series 1 of 2: What is Thanksgiving?
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In the United States and in several other countries, like Canada, Liberia, and Saint Lucia; Thanksgiving is a holiday that brings family and friends together around the table to eat a big feast, share convivial moments, and reflect upon what they are thankful for. These expressions of gratitude can vary from remembering something significant that happened earlier in the year (starting a new job, having a baby, traveling to a new country, for example); being grateful to have good health, or overcoming a challenge. For some, simply being at Thanksgiving with others is enough to be thankful for.
What is Thanksgiving?
In the United States, Thanksgiving is celebrated annually on the fourth Thursday in November. By some accounts, the origins date back to 1621 when the English colonists and Native Americans shared a harvest celebration by feasting together over a three-day period.
While this day is considered a positive day of giving thanks, it must be shared that there are some who consider Thanksgiving to be a Day of Mourning as it epitomizes a tragic period in American history in which Native Americans were betrayed and brutalized by the European newcomers.
In 1970, members of the Wapanoag tribe and other Native Americans in Eastern United States declared this day to dispel myths about Thanksgiving, raise awareness about past and present struggles, honor their ancestors, celebrate their spiritual connections, and protest racism and oppression. Over the decades, many non-Native peoples have joined to show solidarity.
Over the centuries, the tradition of Thanksgiving grew to be a nationally observed holiday in which many Americans from a variety of cultural backgrounds participate. In recent years, Thanksgiving traditions have evolved to include recognition of this complex history and giving thanks to the land and the original peoples of the United States.
What foods are traditionally served?
The food-laden tables of Thanksgiving please the eye as well as the pallet thanks to a cornucopia of colors, flavors, and textures. Some of the most common foods to be found are whole roasted turkey, pumpkin pies, squashes, cranberry sauce, macaroni and cheese, stuffing, yams and potatoes.
New traditions & the influence of blended cultural traditions.
Thanks to the cultural melting pot that is a cornerstone of the United States, these days we find a variety of offerings on the menu from cultures like Mexican tamales & tacos, Jamaican oxtail, curry goat, & jerk chicken; Chinese hot-pot and much more.
Another growing tradition during Thanksgiving is to organize community meals for those who may be homeless or without family. Volunteers, families and other community groups all cook together and serve the food in a large gathering place like a church. Sometimes, volunteers set up their Thanksgiving events directly on the streets and serve food in containers that their guests can take away.
Not a meat eater? Don’t worry! Meatless or vegan Thanksgivings are happening more frequently too!
Fun Fact: Did you know that every year, a turkey gets ‘pardoned’ by the President of the United States?
Yes! It’s true. The tradition of granting clemency to one lucky turkey can be traced back to President Lincoln’s son, Tad, who is said to have spared the life of a turkey that was destined to be cooked for Christmas dinner. Over the years, the tradition slowly transitioned to become a custom in which US presidents give their presidential pardon to turkeys just before Thanksgiving. Hmmm… I wonder how they decide which one gets to be the lucky bird. :)
What about you?
Have you participated in Thanksgiving before? Did you join in a Thanksgiving meal this year? Tell us about your experience in the Living Abroad forum.
Gobble, gobble,
Iya
*You get a gold star if you can tell us the significance of “Gobble, gobble”! :D