Background
Thanksgiving is a widely celebrated holiday, as it originated when the Wampanoag tribe and colonists of Plymouth gathered together with the first harvest feast, lasting three days long, full of unity and gratitude. It was officially proclaimed a holiday by George Washington in 1789 and in 1863 Abraham Lincoln declared every last Thursday of November as a designated day to celebrate Thanksgiving. Over the decades, Thanksgiving has evolved into what it is known as today. For many, it is a special time to visit family and friends, gathering around the table after a long day of cooking lots of food and preparing for celebration.
Kick Start
As we are a few months into the school year, students are looking forward to this time of the year. The holiday season is a time of joy and gatherings with friends, family, and new people met along the way. November begins after the spooks and screams of Halloween in October, bringing excitement for a holiday break. Families and friends are planning when to get together and what food is going to be prepared. Flights are being booked, road trips are planned and staying home is ideal for some. All around America, Thanksgiving grew from a historical event to a time to show kindness to those you love and give thanks to others.
Preparations
Many people prepare for Thanksgiving differently, either cooking and getting ready to see friends and family, or signing up to volunteer to help others have the opportunity to celebrate as well. Although Thanksgiving food can be many different things, traditional dishes include turkey, gravy, stuffing, sweet potato casserole, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, and bread. As these classic meals are served among other diverse foods, the custom of coming together to enjoy them remains the same. Looking at how similarly everyone celebrates Thanksgiving adds to both community and connection.
Although Thanksgiving started centuries ago from a harvest between the colonists and Wampanoags, it had now developed into a widely known and appreciated holiday, helping and giving back to the community whilst connecting everyone. It is a time to slow down from all of the hustle of work and school, changing the way many think, bringing thankfulness to all.
