Thanksgiving Day in America

There is one day a year when all Americans stay home with their families and eat a big dinner. This is Thanksgiving Day.

History
The pilgrims celebrated the first Thanksgiving Day in the fall of 1621. The pilgrims sailed to America on board the "Mayflower" ship for religious freedom. They were among the first European settlers in America.

The following spring the Indians taught the pilgrims how to hunt, fish, plant and survive in America. The crops did well and in the fall of 1621 pilgrims had a great harvest.
They were thankful and decided to celebrate with a Thanksgiving feast.

Americans still celebrate Thanksgiving Day in the fall. It is celebrated on the 4th Thursday in November.

Thanksgiving Day Symbols
Pumpkins are a Thanksgiving favorite for about 400 years.

Turkey is an inseparable part of Thanksgiving celebration.

Cranberry sauce is turkey's favorite thanksgiving feast partner

Corn were a part of first thanks giving feast & are popular till date

Cornucopia is a horn-shaped basket filled with fruits & goodies

Beans are regarded as the third of the Indian Three Sisters

The famous First thanksgiving feast was a gesture to thank God to help them survive the bitter winter.
George Washington proclaimed a National Day of Thanksgiving in 1789. The idea attracted mixed reaction. In 1863, President Lincoln proclaimed the last Thursday in November as a national day of Thanksgiving.

'Thanksgiving Parade' is an important tradition. It was first held in the year 1924 in Detroit down to Woodward Avenue.

Important features of the parade are moving stands with specific themes, scenes from Broadway plays, large balloons of cartoon characters and TV personalities, and high school marching bands.

Уходящий с поста президент США Джордж Буш (George W. Bush) в последний раз "помиловал" индейку.
По традиции, главы Белого дома каждый год даруют "помилование" избранной индейке, избавив ее от участи быть съеденной на ужине.

Thanksgiving Day Customs
Custom of praying
For centuries, 'Thanksgiving Day' is associated with communal prayers in church and in homes
It is also a day to show gratitude to your friends and relatives for all the good deeds

Custom of Family Dinner
Relatives drive down to be with their family. Feasts are usually held at home. It is a time to enjoy their favorite 'Roasted Turkey' with the family

Custom of Decoration
Thanksgiving is a time to decorate homes with wreaths, fresh and dried flowers. They light lamps to brighten the environment. Tables are adorned with best china and antique silver cutlery to mark the occasion.

Custom of sending messages
Thanksgiving is a day when people send loving messages and warm wishes to their relatives, colleagues at work place, superiors and subordinates, near and dear ones. It is a day of conveying their feelings through Thanksgiving cards

Thanksgiving Day Gifts
Thanksgiving Flower Gift
Thanksgiving Gift Baskets
Thanksgiving Jewellery
Thanksgiving Chocolates
Thanksgiving Teddy Bear
Thanksgiving Decorative
Thanksgiving Perfumes
Thanksgiving Household Gifts