Thanksgiving is a centuries old tradition held by almost every culture around the world. It is a day to give thanks for much more than a good harvest however. Many people use this as a day to express gratitude for food, family, and many other good fortunes that have come their way. Here are some fun thanksgiving facts to get you more familiar with one of the biggest holidays in the United States.
• The first US thanksgiving was celebrated sometime between September 21 and November 11 in 1962
• Thanksgiving days were proclaimed annually by the US Congress from 1777 to 1783.
• George Washington declared Thanksgiving in 1789 and 1795. John Adams declared Thanksgiving in 1798 and 1799 and James Madison declared Thanksgiving twice in 1815 although none of these celebrations took place in November.
• The first thanksgiving was not an observance of thanks. It was more of a harvest festival or celebration.
• Turkey is the traditional thanksgiving dish we know and enjoy today, however during the first harvest festival, ‘turkey’ was any type of wild fowl the men could find and kill. The Pilgrims referred to turkey as any kind of wild fowl in the air.
• Nearly half of the original Pilgrims that traveled on the Mayflower died that same year as a result of a severe and cold winter.
• Many claim that the Pilgrims would have all died if it had not been for the native Indians in the land that helped them through the winter and harvesting their crops. That is why we traditionally celebrate and teach thanksgiving about the Pilgrims and the Indians.
• After the first thanksgiving celebration festival it was not celebrated again the following year. In fact it wasn’t celebrated again until another fifty years that they would celebrate again with the Indians after a long drought had passed.
• Some of the foods that the original Pilgrims and Indians may have eaten during their celebration are berries, fish, any wild fowl, corn, barley, venison, and dried fruit.
• Canadians also celebrate Thanksgiving. It is held on the second Monday in October.
• The first thanksgiving harvest festival lasted three days. Much longer than our one day holiday.
• Fifty two Pilgrims attended the first thanksgiving in 1621. A few of those Pilgrims names are John Alden, William Bradford, Priscilla Mullins, and Miles Standish.
• The Pilgrim leader, Governor William Bradford organized the first thanksgiving feast in 1621. He invited the neighboring Wampanoag Indians. There were about ninety Wampanoag Indians, the Chief Massasoit was also invited.
• The name of the woman who eventually made Thanksgiving a yearly traditional even in the United States was Sarah Josepha Hale. She was a magazine editor, and after having written so many editorials to governors and presidents, Thanksgiving finally became official as the last Thursday in November.
• The state of New York was the first state to officially declare Thanksgiving an annual custom in 1817.
There are just some basic thanksgiving facts for you to know and ponder as thanksgiving draws near and you can reflect on what you’re thankful for.
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