Traditionally, Thanksgiving is a day where friends and families come together to celebrate with a special meal. This meal generally involves a turkey, cranberry sauce, stuffing, potatoes, pumpkin pie, gravy, and vegetables. Overall though, Thanksgiving is a day that may people pay thanks for everything they have in their lives.

In some cities and towns, Thanksgiving Day parades are held to celebrate this holiday and mark the official opening of the Christmas shopping season. During this time people have a 4 day weekend so it is a popular time for family and friends to take trips.

Public life

During this holiday most businesses, government offices, organizations and schools are closed on Thanksgiving Day. During the Thanksgiving holiday many business allow their workers to have the full 4 day weekend so most of the time the businesses are closed over these 4 days. Public transit systems generally operate on a different timetable to their regular routine.

In the USA, Thanksgiving Day is one of the busiest travel periods for families. Because of this it will cause overcrowding and congestion. Busy football games and seasonal parades can generally disrupt local traffic.

Background

Since 1863, Thanksgiving Day in the USA has been an annual holiday for Americans. Although not everyone views Thanksgiving as a day for celebration. Since 1970, a Native American group and their supporters protest each year for a National Day of Mourning at Plymouth Rock, Massachusetts on Thanksgiving. At this time of the year American Indian Heritage Day is also observed.

In 1598, there were claims that Thanksgiving Day was first held in El Paso, Texas. In 1619 another thanksgiving event was also held in Virginia Colony. There are many people who trace the origins of thanksgiving to the Pilgrims harvest celebration which was held in Plymouth Massachusetts in 1621. Although in 1623, the first true thanksgiving was seen as pilgrims gave thanks to the drought-ending raining which saved crops. Rather than a feast, the celebrations took place as a special church service.

In the 1600s, paying thanks after a harvest became more popular for Thanksgiving. Although than celebrating it on the same day, many communities celebrated it on the different days and in different places. George Washington, the First US president, proclaimed in 1789 the first Thanksgiving day.