Thanksgiving is a time for traditions in many different countries including the United States. From turkey to trimmings, and different celebrations, there are hundreds of different traditions that people participate in every year. This article will give you the top five Thanksgiving traditions in the United States as well as a little bit of history about the holiday.
Thanksgiving was first started centuries ago when the English separatists traveled across the Atlantic on the ship known as the Mayflower. They arrived in Plymouth in 1620 during a cold and fierce winter. With little to no medical experience or equipment almost half of the passengers and crew died that winter of various diseases such as tuberculosis, scurvy, and pneumonia. The remaining survivors found some help from the Native Indians in harvesting crops and staying alive during the cold winter. It was for this reason that Governor William Bradford invited the Indians to the first ever Thanksgiving harvest feast to commemorate the bounteous harvest and the blessings that God had given them. The feast lasted three days and consisted mainly of wild fowl, berries, venison, and vegetables grown during the harvest season. Most of our Thanksgiving Day traditions do not mirror that of the first thanksgiving, however they have still become tradition among individuals and families today.
Top 5 Thanksgiving Traditions
1. The Turkey and trimmings. What would thanksgiving be without the turkey, right? It wouldn’t be much of one. From the first Thanksgiving to today’s turkey burgers, turkey has definitely become a staple in the traditional American Thanksgiving Day feast. While some countries eat other things such as ham, according to the National Turkey Federation, 95% of Americans still eat turkey on thanksgiving. And with so many different recipes and ways to cook it, you can’t go wrong on Thanksgiving with a turkey.
2. Parades. The first American Thanksgiving Day parade was held back in 1920. It was organized by a store in Philadelphia; not Macy’s as many people believe. The famous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade did not actually begin until about 1924. At least 46 million Americans watch it faithfully every year (in person or on the television) and it has become one of the biggest parades in the country with balloons, bands, and a wide array of floats.
3. Football. Another big part of the Thanksgiving Day festivities and traditions is the number of different football games on television. Football has become one of the biggest parts of the Thanksgiving traditions in America; as much so as the pumpkin pie and turkey. The first intercollegiate championship game was held in 1876 on Thanksgiving Day. This tradition however is probably more liked among the men than it is the women, but still one of the top traditions in the United States today.
4. The wishbone. In America, breaking the wishbone is a yearly tradition as it is found to be lucky if you get the good side of the bone. This tradition dates back as far as 322 B.C. when the Romans conquered England. The English colonists carried the tradition with them to America.
5. Giving Thanks. Last but not least is the tradition of giving thanks to God for the people and blessings in your life and throughout the past year. Prayers and worship are common during this time of the year in church and as well as in homes. This holiday is truly a celebration of thankful hearts.
So these are the top five traditions in the United States and among Americans, as well as a bit of history to go with it. How does your thanksgiving measure up to these traditions?
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