Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a holiday observed in several countries, most notably the United States and Canada. In the United States, it is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November; in Canada, it is observed on the second Monday in October. The holiday centers on giving thanks for the harvest and other blessings of the past year and has evolved into a family-oriented occasion, often with a festive meal and expressions of gratitude.

Origins trace to harvest festivals and religious thanksgivings brought by settlers in Europe and by Indigenous peoples. In what is now the United States, popular narrative emphasizes the 1621 harvest feast shared by English Pilgrims at Plymouth and members of the Wampanoag Confederacy, though earlier or different thanksgiving practices existed. The modern American Thanksgiving emerged in the 19th century and was proclaimed a national holiday in 1863 by President Abraham Lincoln. Canadian Thanksgiving has roots in harvest celebrations and was formalized as a national holiday in the 20th century, widely observed on the second Monday in October.

A typical meal features roast turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie; other dishes vary regionally. Social customs include family gatherings, parades such as the Macy’s parade in New York, football games, volunteering, and charitable giving.

Observances and contemporary issues: It is a public holiday in both countries; in recent decades, discussions about Indigenous histories and reconciliation have influenced how Thanksgiving is observed. Some communities mark Indigenous Peoples’ Day or a Day of Mourning related to the holiday. The occasion also involves travel, shopping, and charitable activities.