Thanksgiving Day, a cherished annual holiday in both the United States and Canada, is a time to celebrate the harvest and reflect on the blessings of the past year. While the specifics differ slightly between the two nations, the core spirit of gratitude and communal feasting remains the same. But Why Do We Celebrate Thanksgiving, and what are the historical roots and traditions that have shaped this beloved holiday?
The Origins of Thanksgiving in America: A Harvest Feast
The most widely recognized origin of American Thanksgiving dates back to 1621 in Plymouth, Massachusetts. It’s popularly believed that the Thanksgiving celebration we know today is modeled after a harvest feast shared between the English colonists, known as the Pilgrims, and the Wampanoag people. However, the reality is a bit more nuanced than the romanticized image often portrayed.
Thanksgiving Meal Featuring Turkey: A traditional Thanksgiving dinner spread with a roasted turkey as the centerpiece, surrounded by various side dishes.
In the autumn of 1621, after a challenging first year in the New World, the Pilgrims had reason to be thankful. They had survived a harsh winter and, with the help of the Wampanoag, had a successful harvest. Governor William Bradford documented that a group of colonists went “fowling,” which likely involved hunting geese and ducks, easier to catch than wild turkeys, though turkey remains a possibility. These efforts yielded enough fowl to feed the colony for almost a week.
Around this time, approximately 90 Wampanoag people arrived at the Plymouth settlement. While initially perhaps causing some unease among the roughly 50 colonists, the encounter turned into a peaceful and significant multi-day gathering. The Wampanoag contributed deer to the feast, supplementing the fowl and other foods prepared by the colonists. This included potential dishes of fish, eels, shellfish, stews, vegetables, and even beer. The gathering was a social event, held outdoors due to limited buildings, with people eating while seated on the ground or barrels. Men from both groups engaged in activities like shooting guns, racing, and sharing drinks, attempting to communicate despite language barriers.
This event was more than just a meal; it solidified a treaty between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag, fostering a period of relative peace that lasted until King Philip’s War decades later. It’s important to remember this historical context when we consider why we celebrate Thanksgiving: it’s a complex history that includes both cooperation and conflict.
From Religious Observance to National Holiday
While the 1621 Plymouth feast is a key historical reference, it’s also important to understand the evolution of Thanksgiving as a holiday. The New England colonists had a tradition of “Thanksgivings,” which were days dedicated to prayer and expressing gratitude to God for specific blessings, such as military victories or relief from droughts.
The idea of a national Thanksgiving Day emerged during the early years of the United States. The Continental Congress proclaimed national days of Thanksgiving, particularly after the adoption of the Constitution. However, after 1798, the U.S. Congress largely left Thanksgiving declarations to individual states. There were various reasons for this shift, including concerns about the national government’s role in religious matters, regional differences (Southern states were slower to adopt what was seen as a New England custom), and controversies surrounding partisan speeches and parades on Thanksgiving Day. For a time, a national Thanksgiving Day seemed to be a source of division rather than unity.
Historical Depiction of Early Thanksgiving: An artistic representation illustrating the historical context and atmosphere of the first Thanksgiving Day.
Thanksgiving Becomes an Annual Tradition
The push for a permanent, national Thanksgiving holiday gained momentum in the mid-19th century, particularly through the persistent efforts of Sarah Josepha Hale, the editor of Godey’s Lady’s Book, a widely read magazine. Hale believed that a national Thanksgiving Day could promote unity across the increasingly divided nation. Her campaign eventually garnered the support of President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War.
In 1863, amidst the turmoil of the Civil War, Lincoln issued a proclamation declaring a national day of thanksgiving to be celebrated on the last Thursday of November. His proclamation, on October 3, 1863, called upon Americans to give thanks for blessings and national unity during a time of great strife. This act solidified Thanksgiving as a national holiday, imbued with themes of gratitude and national cohesion.
Every subsequent president followed Lincoln’s precedent, annually proclaiming Thanksgiving Day, typically on the last Thursday of November. There was a brief period of change when President Franklin D. Roosevelt attempted to move Thanksgiving to the third Thursday in November to extend the Christmas shopping season and stimulate the economy. However, this caused confusion and resistance, and in 1941, Congress passed a joint resolution, followed by Roosevelt’s proclamation in 1942, officially establishing the fourth Thursday in November as Thanksgiving Day.
Modern Thanksgiving Traditions: Family, Food, and Festivities
As the United States urbanized and families became more geographically dispersed, Thanksgiving evolved into a significant time for family reunions. The holiday gradually shifted away from its primarily religious focus, becoming more inclusive and allowing people of all backgrounds to participate in a shared American tradition.
Thanksgiving dinner
Thanksgiving Dinner Table: A beautifully set Thanksgiving dinner table, emphasizing the communal aspect of the holiday meal.
Traditional Thanksgiving meals became central to the celebration, featuring dishes like turkey, stuffing, potatoes, cranberries, and pumpkin pie. These foods, while not all present at the first Thanksgiving, became symbolic of the harvest and bounty associated with the holiday. The focus on food and feasting is a major part of why we celebrate Thanksgiving today.
Beyond the family meal, other traditions emerged. Thanksgiving Day football games, dating back to the late 19th century, became a popular form of entertainment. Parades with costumed revelers also became common, evolving into large-scale events like Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, which started in 1924 and featured giant balloons from 1927 onwards.
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade: A vibrant image from Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, showcasing the festive balloons and celebratory atmosphere.
Today, Thanksgiving Day symbolizes intercultural peace (though its historical origins are complex), the idea of America as a land of opportunity for newcomers, and the importance of home and family. It’s a holiday deeply embedded in American culture, centered around gratitude, togetherness, and tradition.
Thanksgiving in Canada: A Parallel Celebration
Canada also celebrates Thanksgiving, with its own unique history and traditions. Similar to the United States, Canadian Thanksgiving traditions originated from European harvest festivals, expressing gratitude for safe voyages, peace, and successful harvests.
The earliest recorded Thanksgiving celebration in Canada took place in 1578, when Martin Frobisher and his expedition held a ceremony in present-day Nunavut to give thanks for the safety of their fleet. Later, European settlers brought their own harvest thanksgiving customs to Canada.
In 1879, the Canadian Parliament established a national Thanksgiving Day on November 6th. The date of Canadian Thanksgiving has varied over the years, but since 1957, it has been consistently celebrated on the second Monday in October. While the date differs from the U.S. Thanksgiving, the underlying themes of gratitude and harvest celebration are shared.
Conclusion
So, why do we celebrate Thanksgiving? The answer is multifaceted. Thanksgiving is a holiday with roots in historical harvest celebrations, religious observances, and a desire for national unity. It has evolved over centuries, adapting to changing social landscapes while retaining its core values of gratitude, community, and feasting. Whether in the United States or Canada, Thanksgiving remains a vital annual tradition, offering a time to pause, reflect on blessings, and gather with loved ones.
