Thanksgiving By Natalie Moses

The basic idea…

Thanksgiving Day is a harvest festival celebrated in the United States and Canada.

USA-4th Thursday in November

Canada- 2nd Monday in October

Thanksgiving is a holiday to express thankfulness, gratitude and appreciation to God, family and friends for the material blessings and relationships they have.

Traditionally, it has been a time to give thanks a large harvest. Originally, the holiday had religious roots but has since moved away from these ideas.

Why it was started…

In 1621, 102 pilgrims sailed on a small ship called the Mayflower, landed in Plymouth, Massachusetts sick and without food. The Native Americans helped them by teaching them how to hunt and gather food.

The main Native American who helped the pilgrims was named Squanto. He spoke English because he was captured by a English travelers years before.

The relationship between Squanto and the pilgrims grew and as a way to thank the Native Americans, at the end of the harvest there was a large celebration with a feast of food and games.

The Mayflower

The First Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving over the Years

1789- George Washington, the first American president issued the first Thanksgiving proclamation by the national government of the United States.

1817- New York became the first of several states to officially adopt an annual Thanksgiving holiday

1863- Abraham Lincoln proclaimed Thanksgiving during the Civil War, a day to ask God for care for all the wounded soldiers (The final Thursday in November)

1941- President Franklin D. Roosevelt makes Thanksgiving an official holiday on the fourth Thursday in November.

The 5 F’s of Thanksgiving

FOOD, FOOD, FOOD and…FOOD!

Feasting

Family

Football

Fun and Games

Typical Thanksgiving Foods

Turkey

Side Dishes

Stuffing

Mac and Cheese

Mashed Potatoes

More common foods

Cranberry Sauce

Sweet Potatoes

Green Bean Casserole

All kinds of Bread (Rolls, Biscuits, Croissants)

PIE!

Norman Rockwell Painting