Thanksgiving Day in America originated in 1621 when Pilgrims and Native Americans came together for a three day feast featuring many of the foods eaten today such as turkey. This event became an official US holiday in 1863 when Abraham Lincoln proclaimed the fourth Thursday of November as Thanksgiving. Modern Thanksgiving is celebrated as a time for families to get together, eat a large feast that often includes turkey which takes hours to cook, and go around saying what they are thankful for.