2024.10.28

What Is Thanksgiving? Key Facts, Traditions, and Recipes

Thanksgiving is a national holiday filled with history, symbolism, and tradition, celebrated every fourth Thursday in November in the United States. But what is Thanksgiving, and where did this time-honored event originate? Let’s explore the rich history behind the holiday, the traditions that have shaped it, and some classic recipes that families enjoy today.

In 2024, Thanksgiving in the United States will be celebrated on November 28, 2024.

What Is Thanksgiving?

The modern American Thanksgiving has its roots in a 1621 harvest celebration shared by the English colonists, or Pilgrims, of Plymouth and the Wampanoag people. This feast, which lasted for several days, was a symbol of cooperation between the two groups, with the Wampanoag contributing venison and the Pilgrims preparing fowl, possibly turkey, geese, and ducks. Although disorderly by modern standards, this first celebration laid the groundwork for what has become a beloved American tradition.

Over time, Thanksgiving has come to symbolize more than just a harvest festival. It reflects intercultural peace, the importance of family, and the American ideal of welcoming newcomers. Although rooted in religious gratitude, Thanksgiving has become a secular holiday that brings together Americans of all backgrounds.

How Thanksgiving Became a National Holiday

While early colonists were accustomed to celebrating “thanksgivings” to express gratitude for victories or blessings, it wasn’t until 1863 that President Abraham Lincoln officially proclaimed Thanksgiving as a national holiday. At the height of the Civil War, Lincoln sought to unite the nation by setting aside a day of thanks on the last Thursday of November. However, it wasn’t until 1941 that President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Congress fixed the holiday to the fourth Thursday of November, partly to extend the Christmas shopping season.

Thanksgiving Traditions: A Time for Family and Festivities

Today, Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel periods in the United States as families come together to celebrate. Many traditions have evolved, including:

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade:

A highlight since 1924, this parade in New York City features giant balloons, floats, and performances. The parade has become a symbol of Thanksgiving’s evolution into a festive and secular celebration.

Football Games:

Since the 1800s, Thanksgiving has been a day for football, starting with college games like Yale versus Princeton in 1876. Today, NFL games are a staple of the holiday.

Presidential Turkey Pardons:

Every year, the U.S. president receives two live turkeys in a light-hearted tradition where one is “pardoned” and spared from being dinner.

What Does a Typical Thanksgiving Dinner Look Like?

While early Thanksgiving meals included venison, seafood, and other local foods, today’s includes some staples. For example, a turkey centerpiece, bread stuffing with herbs, mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce.

Pumpkin pie is the most iconic dessert, though apple and pecan pies are also popular.

Thanksgiving recipes from Jones Dairy Farm

Balsamic and Dijon-Glazed Ham

Ham is a popular alternative to the traditional turkey, and Jones Dairy Farm’s Hickory Smoked Ham is the perfect size for intimate get-togethers and smaller families. Recipe here.