What is Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving

Here is a simple answer:

Thanksgiving is a time when families get together to eat a meal and be thankful for what they have.

Here is another answer:

Thanksgiving was, essentially tied to the migration from the old world to what is now known as North America, and has a Christian foundation. It celebrates the first year there was actually enough food harvested to feed everyone during the brutal winters that were experienced in the East coast. It was not the first year they were here, however. When "pilgrims" started coming here, many, actualy most of them starved and froze to death.

Years later, some "Indians" were known to be sympathetic to the migrants and taught them how to plant and harvest corn and wheat. Finally, there was enough food to go around that provided enough sustinance throughout the winter. The timing of Thanksgiving is just after the harvest and just as winter is settled in. Keep in mind, the main reason people were migrating from Europe to the "New World" is for freedom of religion, and most at the time were protestants that were avoiding persecution in Europe. So a thanks to God was given to acknowledge Him for providing the sustinance needed over the winter. This was also the begining of a lasting relationship between the East coast indians; which in retrospect still is questionable.

Interesting obsservations: Note that even today, wild corn, sweet potatoes, cranberrys (which natively grow in that region of the US) and of course the Turkey, which is a bird large enough to be served to feed large groups of people are all symbols or are served as part of the classical feast. No one even knows if a turkey eas even served at the origionating feast, for many believe the origionating feast was a morphing of many feasts that took place at that period.

Although this ceremony has a Christian foundation, freedom to practice religion still stands, and being thankful to your provider also still stands. It is not limited to a Christian holiday even though it started out that way.

• What are some traditions in other country?
• What does Thanksgiving play in your Society?
• What are the origins of Thanksgiving Day?