Thanksgiving, or Thanksgiving Day, is a traditional North American holiday to give thanks at the conclusion of the harvest season. Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States and on the second Monday of October in Canada.
In the United States, Thanksgiving is a four day weekend which
usually marks a pause in school and college calendars. Many workers
(78% in 2007) are given both Thanksgiving and the day after as paid
holidays.[1]
Thanksgiving meals are traditionally family events where certain kinds of food are served. First and foremost, turkey
is the featured item in most Thanksgiving feasts (so much so that
Thanksgiving is sometimes facetiously referred to as "Turkey Day"). Stuffing, mashed potatoes with gravy, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, corn, turnips, and pumpkin pie are commonly associated with Thanksgiving dinner. Often guests bring food items or help with cooking in the kitchen as part of a happy, communal meal.
In keeping with the holiday theme of giving thanks, during the
socializing or meal, people talk about what they are thankful for or
tell about experiences during the past year which have caused them to
feel grateful.
Thanksgiving was established as a national day of giving thanks and praise to God. [1] [2]
The religious celebration of Thanksgiving continues in the tradition of
saying grace at the beginning of the Thanksgiving holiday dinner.
