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Thanksgiving
The Thanksgiving holiday or celebration is in fact celebrated in many countries. Thanksgiving is essentially a harvest related festival and celebrates the harvest when it is completed and the work is done. Worldwide, harvest celebrations are observed with different names and at different times depending on the harvest season of the country. Ask questions here about the origin and traditions surrounding Thanksgiving such as foods served, giving thanks, and parades.
2,230 Questions
Do they have Thanksgiving in Canada?
The same way you do in the United States - by enjoying a turkey dinner and lamenting on what you're thankful for. The only real difference between Canada's Thanksgiving and the US's Thanksgiving is the date.
When where and how did Thanksgiving originate?
The original Thanksgiving appears to have been an offshoot of the harvest festivals, or harvest-home ceremonies, in England. During these ceremonies, people set aside days specifically for the purpose of thanking God for their plentiful harvest. There were also Thanksgiving harvest festivals in some European nations, such as the Erntedankfest in Germany, a tradition still continued today.
It remains hotly debated where and when the first Thanksgiving actually came about.
Thanksgiving is traditionally associated with the arrival of the Pilgrims. During the early 17th century, all religion in England was strictly dictated by the government, and all were required to conform to severe religious restrictions. Individual beliefs and independent ways to worship were forbidden, punishable by jailing, torture and even execution. Seeking escape from religious suppression, a group known as the Pilgrims departed England on the ship Mayflower.
They arrived at Plymouth Rock in southeastern Massachusetts in December 1620, but due to native hostility, moved further along the coast to Cape Cod, where they were greeted more cordially. These Indians, the Wampanoag, helped the new colony to survive, by showing the colonists how to plant corn (maize) and how to catch alewives, a type of herring, to use as a fertilizer when growing pumpkins, beans, etc. Just under a year later, in 1621 and following a successful harvest, they celebrated their bounty as well as their new freedom with a huge feast - thus was Thanksgiving started. For this first harvest festival, lasting some three days, the colonists invited the Wampanoag people, to show their gratitude. It is believed that the natives also supplied much of the food, particularly venison.
It is believed that the first "Day of Thanksgiving" actually occurred before the arrival of the Pilgrims. This festival was completely religious in nature, and did not involve any feasting. On 4 December 1619, a group of settlers from England arrived at Berkeley Plantation on the James River, now known as Charles City, Virginia. This group dedicated this day of their arrival as a Day of Thanksgiving to God.
So it can be seen that, while the US celebrates Thanksgiving based on the Pilgrim festival, towns or countries called days of thanksgiving several years before that event. Those days were usually called to celebrate a specific event, rather than an ongoing celebration.
It is even believed that the holiday occurred earlier: some sources say it was celebrated on 8 September 1565 in what is now Saint Augustine, Florida. This story has its origins in the fact that Spanish explorer Pedro Menendez de Aviles invited the Timucua Indians to a celebratory meal in St Augustine after a thanksgiving Mass celebrating his and his crew's safe arrival. This was the first recorded celebration of a meal specifically for thanksgiving.
Other claims to the first Thanksgiving include:
- The 1513 landing of Juan Ponce De Leon in Florida
- Francisco Vásquez de Coronado's service of thanksgiving in the Texas Panhandle in 1541
- Two other claims for thanksgiving observances in Jamestown, Virginia, in 1607 and 1610
- There is a Canadian claim that the first thanksgiving was Martin Frobisher's 1576 thanksgiving on Baffin Island.
In 1863 Thanksgiving was declared a national holiday by President Lincoln.
It was officially changed to the fourth Thursday in November when Franklin Delano Roosevelt was president.
Click on the related questions below to find out more about the history of Thanksgiving.
When did large balloons start appearing at Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade?
Macy's introduced the first large, inflated balloons in 1927. Among the characters were Felix the Cat, a caricature of singer/actor Eddie Cantor, a dinosaur, a group of cavemen, and assorted turkeys, chickens and ducks.
The first balloons were made entirely of rubber and filled with air, rather than helium (which was introduced in 1928), so they had to be held upright by long poles. For this reason, their designer, Tony Sarg, referred to these first balloons as "upside-down marionettes."
The vendor says that when turkey is done you should let it stand for 15min before serving?
They are by no means the only people to say that. Any meat that is roasted should be left to stand, still in the original roasting pan, for 10 - 15 minutes. This allows the meat to cool slightly, and some of the juices that were expressed from the meat get re-absorbed into it. Tastier and juicier. Many cook-books say meat should be allowed to rest, or set, rather than stand. This advice does not apply to deep-fried turkeys, nor to any meat that was pot-roasted in a closed pan containing an inch or so of water.
What are you thankful for on this holiday of Thanksgiving?
This year I’m thankful for many things, but most notably the people in my life. Whether it be friends, family, or coworkers, I consider myself lucky for the personalities and characters who have been kind enough to play a part in my story.
What is the history Thanksgiving in Switzerland?
Switzerland is a country that is considered NEUTRAL towards all the other countries, especially the ones that surround Switzerland, such as Germany, France, Ellsace, Italy, Poland, Austria, Lichtenstein, etc. Switzerland makes the best chocolate in the world, or the origin for the OMEGA watches, and makes delicious cheese such as Emmenthaler, Gruyere, Tillsit, Mountain cheese (Bergkaese), etc. It's a beautiful country!
When does Canada celebrate Thanskgiving?
Canada celebrates Thanksgiving on the second Monday in October.
Is there a good substitute for Kellogg's Croutettes in turkey stuffing?
Bread stuffing is easy to make at home. Just cube stale bread and put in a 325F oven til the bread is lightly toasted. Season as you like and toss with a Tbl or 2 of oil, return to oven for another 5-7 min. Let cool and stuff. I like to use a mix of white , wheat, rye, and sourdough .You won't find that at the store. Don't forget to use one egg as binder, and use the water til just moist.Minus the egg and water, these are also great salad croutons with a little Parmesan/Romano mix when you add the oil and put them back in the oven for the 5 min.
Which are the most common recipes for Thanksgiving?
Sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, Turkey, stuffing, gravy, cranberries, vegetables, pumpkin pie
Do Christians celebrate Thanksgiving?
Most Orthodox Muslims believe that Muslims shouldn't celebrate non Muslim celebrations, but there are also a growing number of Muslims who believe that secular holidays, such as Thanksgiving, and Mother's Day are exceptions to the rule. All people who believe in a Higher Power would agree, He deserves gratitude and thanks for everything He provides for us through our lives. So it depends on who you ask. I myself don't celebrate most non Muslim holidays, but I do go to Thanksgiving dinner at my familys' house.
.... and Yes, no Muslim celebrates Christmas. lol
What date do England celebrate Thanksgiving?
I don't think England celebrates Thanksgiving because it's an American holiday. The pilgrims came to America and ate dinner with the Indians.
What two NFL football teams play every year on Thanksgiving?
The Detroit Lions and the Dallas Cowboys always play games on Thanksgiving Day with no fixed opponents. Since 2006, a third game has been played on the holiday. Football on Thanksgiving is a long held American tradition, dating back to 1876 when Yale played Princeton.
How often does Thanksgiving fall on November 25th which is exactly one month before Christmas?
Exactly 14% of all Thanksgiving Days in the U.S. fall on the 25th of November.
Why does France not celebrate thanksgiving?
It is an American and Canadian holiday It was created to by the pilgrims and indians to celbreate a great harvest.
What does Macy's have to do with Thanksgiving?
Macy's sponsors the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade every Thanksgiving Day.
What does England have to do with Thanksgiving?
Not a lot.
Apart from UK citizens living here, we do not celebrate Thanksgiving.
What month is Thanksgiving celebrate in Canada?
Thanksgiving is celebrated in Canada on the second Monday in October every year.
