Thanksgiving, one of the most celebrated holidays in the United States, is a day dedicated to giving thanks, sharing meals with loved ones, and reflecting on blessings. But beyond the turkey, football, and parades lies a deep history rooted in early American traditions, religious observances, and cultural shifts. Let's explore the history of Thanksgiving from its earliest origins to the holiday we know today.
Early Harvest Celebrations
The concept of a harvest festival is not unique to America. Many cultures worldwide, both ancient and modern, have held celebrations to mark the end of the harvest season, giving thanks for a successful yield. In ancient times, harvest festivals were common in Europe and among Indigenous peoples of the Americas, serving as a way to express gratitude for the crops and food supply for the coming winter.
The First Thanksgiving: 1621
The Thanksgiving holiday in America is traditionally traced back to 1621 when Pilgrims, a group of English settlers, and the Wampanoag tribe gathered for a feast in Plymouth, present-day Massachusetts. The Pilgrims, who had arrived on the Mayflower in 1620, suffered a harsh winter and struggled to survive in their new environment. Many perished due to the lack of food and disease.
With the help of the Wampanoag, particularly Squanto, who taught the Pilgrims how to grow corn and fish in the region, they were able to harvest their first successful crop in 1621. To celebrate their survival and express gratitude for the bountiful harvest, they invited the Wampanoag to join them for a three-day feast, marking what is often considered the "First Thanksgiving."
A Holiday in Development
Despite the famous 1621 feast, Thanksgiving did not become an annual event in the early years of the American colonies. Early Thanksgiving observances were often sporadic and regional, usually tied to religious or military events. Some colonies declared days of thanksgiving following significant victories or moments of survival.
In 1789, George Washington, the first President of the United States, declared a national day of thanksgiving, calling for the people to give thanks for the adoption of the Constitution and the nation's newfound independence. However, this declaration did not lead to an annual national holiday.
Sarah Josepha Hale and the Making of Thanksgiving
One of the most instrumental figures in establishing Thanksgiving as a national holiday was Sarah Josepha Hale, a 19th-century writer and editor. Known as the “Mother of Thanksgiving,” Hale spent nearly two decades campaigning for a national day of thanks, writing letters to presidents and publishing editorials. Her efforts finally paid off during the Civil War.
In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln, seeking to unite a divided nation, declared Thanksgiving a national holiday. He designated the final Thursday of November as a day of “Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens,” marking the first official Thanksgiving holiday.
Evolution of Traditions
Over the years, Thanksgiving evolved from a religious and political observance to a more secular and family-centered holiday. The traditional Thanksgiving meal, featuring turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie, has its roots in 19th-century New England, although it’s likely that the original 1621 feast featured venison, fish, and other items not found on the modern Thanksgiving table.
Parades and football games also became associated with the holiday in the early 20th century. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which began in 1924, is now a beloved annual event, drawing millions of viewers nationwide. Football on Thanksgiving became popular around the same time, with the first professional Thanksgiving football game played in 1920.
Thanksgiving Today
Today, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November, as established by a 1941 law passed by Congress. The holiday remains a time for family gatherings, feasting, and reflecting on the blessings of the year. It has also become an occasion to give back to those in need, with many Americans participating in charitable activities such as volunteering at soup kitchens or donating to food drives.
Though its meaning and traditions have evolved, Thanksgiving remains a uniquely American holiday, symbolizing gratitude, resilience, and togetherness—a legacy of the nation's history and its diverse cultural heritage.
Whether one celebrates for religious, historical, or personal reasons, Thanksgiving continues to be a time to reflect on the importance of gratitude and community.
