THANKSGIVING is living proof that our friends across the pond sure know how to get stuck into a good holiday. But when does it fall in 2019 and where else is it celebrated apart from America? We’ve got the lowdown on why the festivity is so important to so many people. When is Thanksgiving 2019? […]
THANKSGIVING is living proof that our friends across the pond sure know how to get stuck into a good holiday.
But when does it fall in 2019 and where else is it celebrated apart from America? We’ve got the lowdown on why the festivity is so important to so many people.
In America, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November, so this year it will be on November 28, 2019.
It is usually followed the day after by the world’s most frantic shopping day known as Black Friday.
The USA isn’t the only nation to mark Thanksgiving celebrations – Canada, Puerto Rico, Grenada and Liberia do so too.
In Canada, the national holiday takes place on the second Monday of October – this year that is October, 14, 2019.
The story goes back to 1620 when Pilgrims landed on American soil and settled in an area they named Plymouth just south of where Boston is today.
Unfortunately for those who’d immigrated, they settled in the beginning of what turned out to be a harsh winter, meaning rations were tight and times were hard.
When spring came the Pilgrims went out to plant and grow their own crops and were helped by a native American named Squanto.
Squanto taught them how to fish and hunt as well as showing them how to plant corn, pumpkins and squash.
With these new found skills they were able to store up enough food to be sure that they would be equipped to face the harsh winter months.
The grateful pilgrims invited the Native Americans to join them for a huge harvest feast which has since become known as Thanksgiving.
The tradition has continued for hundreds of years since and is celebrated with a lots of delicious food and wine.
Thanksgiving is a public holiday that began as a harvest festival.
It is now celebrated every year and, along with Christmas and New Year, is part of the broader “holiday season”.
The story goes that back in 1620 Pilgrims landed on American soil and settled in an area they named Plymouth just south of where Boston is today.
Unfortunately for those who had immigrated, they settled in the beginning of what turned out to be a harsh winter, meaning rations were tight and times were hard.
When spring came the Pilgrims went out to plant and grow their own crops and were helped by a native American named Squanto.
Squanto taught them how to fish and hunt as well as showing them how to plant corn, pumpkins and squash.
With these new found skills they were able to store up enough food to be sure that they would be equipped to face the harsh winter months.
The grateful pilgrims invited the Native Americans to join them for a huge harvest feast which has since become known as Thanksgiving.
The tradition has continued for hundreds of years since and is celebrated with lots of delicious food and wine.
A typical Thanksgiving menu consists of roast turkey, stuffing, cornbread, green bean casserole, roasted sweet potato casserole and winter vegetables – a plate that resembles a British Christmas dinner.
This is then topped off with a pumpkin pie with a walnut crust, and even pecan pie.
Each year, the President of the USA “pardons” at least one turkey, which becomes the national Thanksgiving bird that’s granted reprieve from execution.
This has been a long-standing tradition for decades.
In New York City, there is an annual Thanksgiving Day parade.
From 9am to 11am Eastern time, revellers can watch numerous floats and entertainers make their way through the bustling streets.
Many Native American people spend Thanksgiving in mourning as they reflect on centuries of persecution aimed at their people.
Every year since 1970, people have gathered for a rally and march in Plymouth, where the Pilgrims first landed from England, to reflect on the struggles their people faced at the hands of the Europeans – and still face.
The organisers’ website reads: “Thanksgiving Day is a reminder of the genocide of millions of Native people, the theft of Native lands, and the relentless assault on Native culture.
“Participants in National Day of Mourning honour Native ancestors and the struggles of Native peoples to survive today.
“It is a day of remembrance and spiritual connection as well as a protest of the racism and oppression which Native Americans continue to experience.”
For expats looking for a slice of home, or Londoners looking to get their Americana on, the capital will be buzzing with things to do to help you say thanks.
