‘Thanksgiving Day’ It is a holiday that is celebrated on November 24, mainly in the US and Canada. In other countries, such as Germany and Japan, similar festivities are celebrated with other names.
It is a religious festivity that is based on gratitude for a special reason (good harvest, end of drought, etc.). This day is celebrated just 30 days before Christmas Eve.
In the US, it is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November, while in Canada it is the second Monday of October, being a national holiday in both countries. In other cities, events and parades are held, as is the case in New York.
Origin of Thanksgiving
The origin of this festivity dates back to 1620 and originated in Plymouth (Massachusetts). In the same year, a ship called the ‘Mayoflower’ arrived in the town, coming from England, in the northeast of what we know today as the United States.
Having landed there, the English settlers established themselves on a land settlement, being helped to harvest the fields by the native indigenous people of the area.
In 1621, after a successful harvest, the governor of Plymouth Colony organized a party to invite those natives who had helped them, celebrating a great meal as a token of appreciation.
This event became a tradition, spreading throughout the territory. Today it is a very important holiday in North American countries.
In England, during the Anglican reform, there were religious festivities corresponding to the Catholic calendar. Later reforms reduced the number of Church festivities, being replaced by fasting or thanksgiving days.
The origins of Thanksgiving in Canada date back to the early s. XVII in New France, when celebrating the end of the harvests and sharing their food with the aborigines of the region. This custom became a tradition with the arrival of European immigrants to Canada.
How is Thanksgiving celebrated?
Even more important than Christmas in some American homes, this family celebration brings families together to prepare a grand feast.
At the table, the main character is the turkey. It is usually served stuffed, cooked in the oven and accompanied by some sauce, usually made from cranberries. In addition, the meat is accompanied by trays of vegetables, sweet potatoes and other foods.
The tables are always full, from the starters to the desserts, since it is common for a wide variety of sweets to be served. Among all of them, the most popular dessert is pumpkin pie. As for drinks, the meal is usually accompanied by apple cider, wine, and champagne.
In recent years, on the occasion of the festival, charitable acts have become popular. Many people invest part of their time that day in accompanying those most in need and serving hot meals where the homeless live.
The Friday after Thanksgiving begins the Christmas shopping season, known as Black Friday. Stores and department stores offer great sales prices and discounts.
The turkey: main element
‘Thanksgiving’ is a holiday much celebrated in the White House. In 1989, George Bush inaugurated the tradition of pardoning a turkey before Thanksgiving. All other presidents have held this ceremony. President Abraham Lincoln (1861-1865) established the holiday of ‘Thanksgiving’ to commemorate the celebration of the British colonists in 1620.
Tradition dictates that each family eat, at the end of the afternoon, a roast turkey. Therefore, all supermarkets in the country offer turkeys for the occasion. On average, 46 million turkeys can be consumed just for this holiday.
The Thanksgiving turkey is usually stuffed or roasted. Its presentation can be very varied. It can be presented whole on a tray or carved into slices. The sauce is one of the most important aspects that can vary according to the tastes and the recipe that is followed in the preparation of the meat. From MAES Honey, how could it be otherwise, we recommend that you make it with honey. Enjoy one of our delicacies at one of the biggest parties in North America!
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