Thanksgiving Day is celebrated annually in the United States to give thanks to God for the harvest and blessings of the past year. The tradition originated from religious harvest festivals celebrated by Pilgrims after their arrival in America in 1620. In 1941, Thanksgiving was officially declared a national holiday to be held each year on the last Thursday of November by President Abraham Lincoln, establishing a day for Americans to come together and give thanks for their blessings. Typical foods served during Thanksgiving meals include turkey, potatoes, vegetables, cranberries, and pumpkin pie.