Thanksgiving is often thought of as a holiday centered around food, but its significance runs deeper. It commemorates the arrival of the Pilgrims in America, bringing together family and friends to share a meal in celebration.
In 1621, the inaugural Thanksgiving took place, featuring a feast shared by the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag people, which included venison, wildfowl, seafood, corn, pumpkins, and squash. But before Thanksgiving was an official holiday, Thanksgiving was just a simple harvest which developed into an official holiday. However, no Turkey was eaten, but people have speculated that it may have been eaten.Â
 In 1789, George Washington declared a national Thanksgiving Day, although it was not established as an annual event. Turkey became a staple of Thanksgiving meals in the 19th century after Abraham Lincoln designated the holiday as an official celebration. Nowadays, people eat turkey, Pumpkin Pie, Stuffing, Cranberry Sauce, and many more delicious foods.Â
We also commemorate the occasion by enjoying football matches or watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade featuring various beloved characters. Thanksgiving football games began in 1920, but the tradition of annual Thanksgiving matchups was established in 1934 with the Detroit Lions, followed later by the Dallas Cowboys. The first Macy’s Thanksgiving parade was held in 1924, which was different from today. First, it was originally called the Macy’s Christmas parade, and it was with zoo animals until 1927, which was replaced with balloons and was renamed to the Macy’s Thanksgiving parade.Â
Despite the various events and transformations that Thanksgiving has undergone over the years, one thing remains constant: the gratitude we feel for our loved ones and the tradition of sharing food as a gesture of appreciation for all they do. In New Way, we also observe Thanksgiving by enjoying a three-day break from Tuesday to Friday, a practice that remains unchanged.
https://www.history.com/articles/turkey-thanksgiving-meal
https://plimoth.org/yath/unit-4/what-did-they-eat-at-the-1621-harvest-celebration
