THANKSGIVING

Giving thanks for what we have, and

those who have given us so much….
The History of Thanksgiving
In the United States, Thanksgiving began
with the Pilgrims who settled in the north in
1621. During the winters of 1621 and 1622
they suffered, because there was little food
for the settlers and many people suffered
from new diseases. Nearly half the
population died. They were generally not
experienced farmers. They were fortunate
that some of the local Native-Americans
helped them learn to farm the local crops.
 The First Thanksgiving
The Pilgrims were thankful that the Indians taught them how to grow plants. The
Pilgrims invited the Indians, in 1623, to a three-day celebration. More than 80 "Indians"
came to enjoy the festivities. They brought venison (carne de ciervo) , plants like corn
and beans, and wild turkey. There was much singing, rejoicing and even sermons.

Thanksgiving itself is reminiscent of other harvest-time celebrations in Europe. It's

character there as well as in America is deeply religious. The idea is that we thank God
for the plenty of the harvest. Of course, over the years the holiday has been secularized
somewhat. It is even commonly called "Turkey Day".

The first Thanksgiving in Plymouth was not meant to be an annual event. Even so, it
became a custom in many New England Colonies. During the Revolutionary war
Thanksgiving Days were proclaimed to celebrate victory in battle or survival in the face
of adversity. After the war and the founding of the government under the U.S.
Constitution, George Washington, as President, proclaimed a day of thanks.
Turkey Day Traditions
We usually gather with our families and eat
at around 14.00. We eat a large meal just
like the Pilgrims and Indians including; a
baked turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy,
corn, beans, sweet potatoes, biscuits, and…
… my favorite Pumpkin
pie…

My mother’s is
the best!
 The Wishbone

At the end of the meal, the two youngest children

pull apart the wishbone. The child that get the
side makes a wish…
This is known as a "lucky break" the tradition of
tugging on either end of a fowl's bone to win the
larger piece and its accompanying "wish" dates
back to the Etruscans of 322 B.C. The Romans
brought the tradition with them when they
conquered England and the English colonists
carried the tradition on to America… Thanks
Romans!
 What do we do after we eat?
1. American Football Games

2. The Macy’s Day Parade… or local parades

3. Get ready for “Black Friday”

American Football
Thanksgiving Day football is a twentieth century
invention. It is a treat if you can go to the stadium to
watch your favorite team… but if you can’t… there is
always the TV!

Or many families play in

the yard…. after they have
digested all the turkey!
 The Macy’s Day Parade

In the 1930’s the employees of Macy’s, most of them

European immigrants decided to have a parade to
show their pride in their new country. The store
owners gave the employees money to do the parade,
as long as it was advertising Macy’s the store!
Today millions of New Yorkers and
tourists watch the parade on the
streets of Manhattan… and millions
of Americans watch the parade on
TV
My Favorite Tradition….
Black Friday….
SHOPPING AND SALES!

In the USA, the Friday after

Thanksgiving is the largest day of
shopping all year. There are lots of
sales, and many discounts offered for
people who arrive early. Many
families, (the women) go as a family
shopping all day. More money is
spent today on retail items (clothing,
computers, furniture, etc) than any