It shows how you will appreciate things.
Detailed Answer:
Traditionally "Thanksgiving" is a type of harvest festival that can be traced back in any culture to ancient times when celebrations were held after harvesting; this can also include trade markets. See: Chinese Moon Festival "Zhongqiu Jie " (中秋節) - (c.2170 BC) - the oldest documented harvest festival.
Historically speaking:
- The first "Thanksgiving" festivals in North America were practiced by all native cultures as fall festivals, gatherings, dances (pow-wows).
- The first European "Thanksgiving" in North America was given by 600 Spanish settlers that landed in St. Augustine Florida September 8th, 1565.
- The first "Official Thanksgiving" festival was part of The Virgina Charter 1607; the charter required a 'day of thanksgiving' - this can be seen as the first officially chartered day of such celebration in North America.
- The Continental Congress (the predecessor of the US Government) made a decree of such a celebration in 1777; the first national charter of such a celebration in North America.