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Thanksgiving

Gather around the table and give thanks this Thanksgiving - indulge in delicious food, quality time with loved ones and make memories to last a lifetime!
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Federal
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United States
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Introduction

Thanksgiving is an annual holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States. This day has been celebrated since 1621, when the Pilgrims and Native Americans shared a feast to celebrate their first harvest. Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends and loved ones to come together and give thanks for all that they have. It's also a great opportunity to enjoy traditional dishes like roast turkey with stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie and much more! So get ready to gather your nearest and dearest and join in this yearly celebration of gratitude!

History of Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Timeline

<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1621</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Thanksgiving</div><div class='timeline-text'>Pilgrims and Native Americans shared a feast to celebrate the successful harvest, considered the "First Thanksgiving".</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1789</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Thanksgiving's National Proclamation</div><div class='timeline-text'>President George Washington proclaimed Thanksgiving a national holiday to be celebrated on November 26.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1863</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Lincoln sets Thanksgiving date</div><div class='timeline-text'>President Abraham Lincoln officially set the date of Thanksgiving to the final Thursday in November.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1939</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Change to third Thursday</div><div class='timeline-text'>President Franklin D. Roosevelt moved the holiday a week earlier, to the third Thursday of November, intending to boost the economy during the Great Depression.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1941</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Return to Fourth Thursday</div><div class='timeline-text'>Due to public backlash, Roosevelt signed a bill into law officially making Thanksgiving the fourth Thursday in November.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1950s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Football becomes Tradition</div><div class='timeline-text'>Watching football games on Thanksgiving Day becomes a popular tradition, with NFL teams regularly hosting games on this holiday.</div></div></div>

How to Celebrate Thanksgiving

<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Gather around the table</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather together with your family and friends to give thanks for all that you have. Enjoy a delicious meal, share stories, and make memories.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Watch a Thanksgiving movie</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Grab some popcorn and snuggle up on the couch to watch a Thanksgiving classic, like A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving or Planes, Trains & Automobiles.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host a potluck dinner</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Invite friends and family to bring their favorite side dishes or desserts to share with everyone. This is a great way to enjoy all of the classic Thanksgiving flavors without doing all of the cooking yourself.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Decorate the house</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Break out the fall decorations to get your house ready for the holiday season. Whether you opt for traditional colors like orange and brown, or something more modern with metallic accents, decorating your home is sure to get you into the Thanksgiving spirit.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Volunteer</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Spend some time giving back by volunteering at your local food pantry, soup kitchen, or homeless shelter. It's a great way to show your appreciation for all that you have.</p></div></div>

Why We Love Thanksgiving

<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It's a time to give thanks and show appreciation</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Thanksgiving is the perfect time to express gratitude for all of the blessings that we have in our lives. Whether it's reflecting on moments spent with family or recognizing achievements made throughout the year, Thanksgiving can be a great reminder to slow down and appreciate what we have.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It's a time of togetherness and celebration</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Thanksgiving offers us an opportunity to get together and celebrate our relationships. Whether you gather around the kitchen table or host a full dinner party, taking time to enjoy each other's company can be extremely rewarding and bring lots of joy!</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It's a day dedicated to delicious food</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Of course, the highlight of any Thanksgiving feast has got to be the amazing selection of food - from turkey to stuffing, mashed potatoes to gravy; whatever your favorite food is, you can guarantee that it will make an appearance on the Thanksgiving menu!</p></div></div>

5 Unexpected Facts about Thanksgiving Tradition

Thanksgiving FAQs

When is Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving Dates

Year
Date
Day

2023

Nov 23

Thursday

2024

Nov 28

Thursday

2025

Nov 27

Thursday

2026

Nov 26

Thursday

2027

Nov 25

Thursday

Federal Holidays