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Originally Posted by kris
Ok, so I'm being really stupid I guess.
But what are you giving Thanks for ?
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First of all, it's the 4th Thursday, in November, not the 3rd.
As with most American holidays, the origins are in religion as well as foundations of the country.
Our national holiday stems from the feast held in the autumn of 1621 by the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag to celebrate the colony's first successful harvest. Later Washington declared it a national holiday and Lincoln moved it from October to November.
There are some indications that the first Thanksgiving was celebrated in Florida, by the Spaniards many years before the Pilgrims came to this continent. It was a religious holiday originally. They probably had bean and corn soup of some sort.
Like many things in life, the original meaning and reasons have been lost to most people, including myself. But if you wanted my simple modern version, it's giving thanks for the bountiful harvest (which today is, being able to shop for whatever we want), and a feast with friends. That's not what it started out as. :-D
Even less to do with the origins and traditions, it's a time for families and friends to gather, a day for football and turkey. It's pretty much accepted as the third busiest party and bar night, coming in right after New Years Eve and St. Patrick's Day for businesses.
It's not like people celebrating in other countries, in November, some "Guy" trying to blow up the Houses of Parliament. :wink: Also an inherently religious holiday.
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone
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