Thanksgiving Day is celebrated annually on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States. It originated from a harvest feast celebrated by the Pilgrims and Wampanoag people in 1621. Today, Americans observe Thanksgiving with traditions such as gathering with family for a feast that usually includes turkey, and watching or participating in parades and football games.

1. Thanksgiving Day

2. Origin of Thanksgiving Day Thanksgiving is America's preeminent day. It is celebrated every year on the fourth Thursday in the month of November. It has a very interesting history. Its origin can be traced back to the 16th century when the first thanksgiving dinner is said to have taken place.

3. Thanksgiving Day Tradition Thanksgiving Day is a communal celebration marked as a sense of gratitude people feel for all the good things in life. This is done by offering prayers, gifting your near and dear ones. The fourth Thursday in the month of November is marked for the yearly celebration. The tradition of Thanksgiving continues till date in the form of Family Reunion and Feasting Family feast is an important tradition during Thanksgiving. The entire family sits at the table during dinner and offer prayer to the Lord Almighty for his continuous grace. It is also a time for relatives living in different places to come together and celebrate. Tradition of Turkey The traditional stuffed turkey adorns every dinner table during the feast. Pumpkin pie, Cranberry sauce, Corns are some of the dishes cooked everywhere to mark the day. Though historians don't have an evidence to prove that turkey was eaten during the first Thanksgiving dinner, but the thanksgiving celebration will be incomplete without it. Parades The traditional Thanksgiving parade probably started with President Lincoln proclaiming it an official day. The full- dress parade is a way to display the country's military strength and discipline. The main aim of such parades is to lift the spirits of the spectators, provide them with wholesome entertainment. In the present day, parades are accompanied with musical shows and celebrities. Football Games Watching NFL football during Thanksgiving is a popular tradition. The traditional game between the Detroit Lions and the Green Bay Packers continues. One of the most memorable games having been played on this day.

4. Thanksgiving Day Customs The Thanksgiving legacy has been alive for hundreds of years. The customs we see in our homes today remind us of ancient celebrations of harvest, thankfulness for peace, and the endeavors of native Americans. It consists of stories of those who believe that gratitude for blessings is a virtue all must possess. Custom of Praying For centuries, 'Thanksgiving Day' is associated with communal prayers in church and in homes. People offer various meal time prayers during the day. It is a time, when mankind thanks God for all his blessings and grace. It is also a day to show gratitude to your friends and relatives for all the good deeds. Custom of Family Dinner Everyone follows the custom of family dinner and reunion religiously every year. Distances don't really matter as 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. People beautify their homes, give the interiors a whole new look and feel. 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.

5. Thanksgiving Day Parade America's preeminent 'Thanksgiving Parade' is an important tradition. It was first held in the year 1924 in Detroit down to Woodward Avenue. The parade began on a very small scale, its popularity grew with each passing year, and after almost 24 years of the parade tradition, it was televised locally in 1948. Fours years later in 1952 the parade received national coverage. The Parade is famously known for its policy of going on under any circumstance or condition; be it rain or shine. The most bittersweet year of the Parade was 1963, which was held less than a week after President Kennedy's assassination, the country was still in mourning. But, as they say 'The show must go on', the parade was held so as not to disappoint millions of children and viewers. Thanksgiving parades also occur in other cities like Plymouth, Houston, Philadelphia and Detroit (where it is the only major parade of the year). Important Features of Thanksgiving Parade 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. The parade comes to an end with Santa Claus's image passing the stands.

6. First Thanksgiving Day Feast The famous 'First thanksgiving feast' is said to have taken place in autumn, in the year 1621. The pilgrims organized the feast right after the first harvest. It was a gesture to thank God to help them survive the bitter winter. It was also celebrated as a display of gratitude towards Indians. The feast took place in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The traditional 'First feast' formed the basis for the modern 'Thanksgiving Day', celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November every year. According to historians, the first thanksgiving feast was eaten outside, as the colonists didn't have sufficient space to accommodate everyone. Native Indians were invited to the feast as they were the ones who taught pilgrims how to grow food. The feast was held to rejoice their fruits of labor. The feast is described in a firsthand account presumably written by a leader of the colony, Edward Winslow. According to him, the governor had sent four men to kill as many fowls. The feast was attended by 90 people including Indians (Native Americans). The food included, ducks, turkeys, geese, swan and venison, fish, berries, watercress, lobster, dried fruit, clams, and plums. The feast continued for three days. It was accompanied by lots of dancing and merry-making. The feast was not repeated for the next few years. The next thanksgiving day was celebrated in the year 1676. The year witnessed a severe drought, which was eventually followed by rains due to prayers. George Washington proclaimed a National Day of Thanksgiving in 1789. The idea attracted mixed reaction. After campaigning for nearly 80 years, in 1863, President Lincoln proclaimed the last Thursday in November as a national day of Thanksgiving.

8. Thanksgiving Day Proclamation

9. Tradition of Gifting Thanksgiving is a time for gifting your family and friends. The day is a time to show your gratitude and respect to your elders, friends, your siblings and also your colleagues. Popular gifts include thanksgiving flowers, jewellery, baked cookie hampers, chocolate gift baskets, candy-wreaths, wine etc

10. A Thanksgiving Poem. The tear another's tears bring forth, The sigh which answers sigh, The pulse that beats at other's woes, Even though our own be nigh, A balm to bathe the wounded heart Where sorrow's hand hath lain, The link divine from soul to soul That makes us one in pain, Sweet sympathy, benignant ray, Light of the soul doth shine; In it is human nature given A touch of the divine.

11. Poem T is for the trust the pilgrims had so many years ago H is for the harvest the settlers learnt to grow A is for America, the land in which we live N is for nature and beauty which she gives K is for kindness, gentle words, thoughtful deeds S is for smiles, the sunshine everyone needs G is for gratitude... our blessings big and small I is for ideas, letting wisdom grow tall V is for voices, singing, laughing, always caring I is for Indians, who taught them about sharing N is for neighbors, across the street, over the sea G is for giving of myself to make a better me by Judith. A. Lindberg

12. Turkey The celebration of Thanksgiving will be incomplete without the legendary Turkey . It derives its name from the 'turk turk' sounds it makes when scared. Turkey was at one time being considered as the national symbol of America. Benjamin Franklin felt that turkey was the right choice because it was a good runner and had a sharp sight. A bald eagle later became the national symbol of America. Turkey Turkey

14. Thanksgiving For each new morning with its light, For rest and shelter of the night, For health and food, For love and friends, For everything Thy goodness sends. Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)