Thanksgiving is celebrated annually on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States and Canada. It originated as a harvest festival celebrated by Pilgrims and Native Americans in 1621. The traditional Thanksgiving meal features turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. People gather with family and friends over a potluck meal to give thanks for blessings received throughout the year.

1. Thanksgiving

2. Celebrated on the 4th Thursday of November in
the US
Canada: a similar holiday in October

3. What is it?
• Harvest celebration
• A time to give thanks for good things in life
(ex: family, friends, health, food, a place to
live)
• A day to remember a feast shared bewteen
pilgrims and Native Americans in 1621

4. The First Thanksgiving
• Plymouth, Massachusetts
• After a good harvest, a celebration was held
between pilgrims and Native Americans to
give thanks for their good fortune

5. Food
Turkey
Mashed potatoes and gravy
Cranberry sauce
Stuffing
Green beans

6. Food
Sweet potato casserole
Devilled eggs
Rolls
Pecan pie

7. Potluck style: everyone
brings a dish
People invite family and
friends to their house for
lunch, dinner or both

8. Football
• 1869: the first American football game ever
was played on Thanksgiving
• A lot of important games take place on this
day

9. Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
• New York
City, Thanksgivin
g morning
• Floats, dancers,
singers, bands

10. Holiday from work and school
• No work or school on the
Wednesday, Thursday or
Friday of Thanksgiving
week

11. Presidential Pardon
• Every year the President pardons 1 turkey
• This lucky bird does not get eaten and peacefully
lives out the rest of its life on a farm

12. Black Friday
• The day after Thanksgiving, everything goes
on sale at 12 am for 24 hours
• Many do their Christmas shopping on this day