Thanksgiving is celebrated in Canada and the United States to commemorate the harvest season, blessings received, and time spent with family and friends. It traces its origins to a 1621 feast shared between Pilgrims and Native Americans after the Pilgrims' first successful harvest in Plymouth. Modern Thanksgiving traditions include sharing a meal of turkey, potatoes, vegetables and pie, watching American football games, and kicking off the holiday shopping season with Black Friday sales.

1. THANKSGIVING

2. THANKSGIVING: WHAT IS IT?
WHERE IS IT CELEBRATED?
• National Holiday in Canada and the USA
• Commemorates:
– the first harvest in the USA
– the blessings we have received
– family and friends

3. THANKSGIVING: WHEN IS IT?
• Canada: Second Monday in October
• The USA: Fourth Thursday in November
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4. THE FIRST THANKSGIVING
• Many say it started in 1621, after a good
harvest
• Pilgrims and Native Americans gathered
together for three days

5. PRESENT-DAY
THANKSGIVING
What do these pictures have in common?
What is different about these pictures?
1940’s
1990’s

6. THANKSGIVING TRADITIONS:
DINNER • Turkey
• Mashed Potatoes
• Vegetables
• Cranberries
• Stuffing
• Cornbread/Rolls
• Gravy
• Pumpkin Pie
• Fruit Pie

7. THANKSGIVING TRADITIONS: GIVING
THANKS
Some families like to go
around and say aloud what
they are thankful for before,
during, or after the
Thanksgiving meal

8. THANKSGIVING TRADITIONS:
WISHBONE
Whoever gets the
longer piece will have
their wish granted!

9. THANKSGIVING TRADITIONS:
MACY’S DAY PARADE

10. THANKSGIVING TRADITIONS: CANNED
FOOD DRIVES & CHARITY RUNS
Many organizations,
schools, churches, and
businesses use
Thanksgiving as a way
to remind people that
we should share with
those less fortunate.

11. THANKSGIVING TRADITIONS: FIRST
THANKSGIVING PLAYS/COSTUMES
Many elementary/primary
schools put on plays about the
first Thanksgiving.

12. THANKSGIVING TRADITIONS:
FOOTBALL GAMES
After our massive meal,
we like to sit around
digesting and watching
football, whether on TV
or at the stadium!

13. THANKSGIVING TRADITIONS:
PARDONING THE TURKEY
The President normally pardons a turkey on
Thanksgiving so it won’t be served as food
on Thanksgiving.

14. THANKSGIVING TRADITIONS:
TRAVELLING
Because Thanksgiving is
celebrated with families, many
people travel on Wednesday to be
home in time. This is the busiest
day of the year for travelling.
Often, there are delays due to
snow or wind which makes things
worse!

15. THANKSGIVING TRADITIONS: BLACK
FRIDAY
The day after Thanksgiving, when
many people have the day off, is filled
with big sales to kick off the Christmas
season.

16. THANKSGIVING TRADITIONS: MY
FAMILY TRADITION
In my family, it is a tradition for my
sister and I to help make the butter
that will be used for our
Thanksgiving meal. It takes a long
time and our arms get very tired!

17. Happy Thanksgiving!