Revision as of 08:58, 24 December 2010 view sourceUruiamme (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users4,920 edits brought american section in line with the main article, added some references, removed a redundant one← Previous edit | Latest revision as of 04:32, 17 December 2024 view source SdkbBot (talk | contribs)Bots356,382 editsm Removed erroneous space and general fixes (task 1)Tag: AWB | ||
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{short description|Holiday in various countries}} | |||
{{Other uses}} | |||
{{about|the holiday in general|the specific national holidays|Thanksgiving (Canada)|and|Thanksgiving (United States)|other uses}} | |||
{{pp-semi-protected|small=yes}} | |||
{{Redirect|Turkey Day|the Turkish Republic Day|Republic Day (Turkey)}} | |||
{{pp-move-indef}} | |||
{{pp-move}} | |||
{{protection padlock|small=yes}} | |||
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2014}} | |||
{{Infobox holiday | {{Infobox holiday | ||
|holiday_name |
| holiday_name = Thanksgiving Day | ||
|image |
| image = File:Our (Almost Traditional) Thanksgiving Dinner.jpg | ||
|caption |
| caption = A typical ] in the ] | ||
|observedby |
| observedby = '''Countries''' | ||
* ] | |||
|date = 2nd Monday in October (Canada)<br/>Last Wednesday in November (Norfolk Island)<br/>4th Thursday in November (USA) | |||
* ] | |||
|type = Cultural | |||
* ] | |||
|longtype = ], cultural | |||
* ] | |||
|date{{CURRENTYEAR}} = October {{weekday in month|second|monday|october|{{CURRENTYEAR}}}}, {{CURRENTYEAR}} (Canada);<br /> | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
'''Sub-national entities''' | |||
* ] (Australia) | |||
* ] | |||
| date = * 1st Sunday in October (]) | |||
* 2nd Monday in October (]) | |||
* 1st Thursday in November (]) | |||
* Last Wednesday in November (]) | |||
* 4th Thursday in November (] and ]) | |||
| type = Cultural | |||
| longtype = ], cultural | |||
| date{{CURRENTYEAR}} = October {{weekday in month|first|sunday|october|{{CURRENTYEAR}}}}, {{CURRENTYEAR}} (Germany);<br /> | |||
October {{weekday in month|second|monday|october|{{CURRENTYEAR}}}}, {{CURRENTYEAR}} (Canada);<br /> | |||
November {{weekday in month|first|thursday|november|{{CURRENTYEAR}}}}, {{CURRENTYEAR}} (Liberia);<br /> | November {{weekday in month|first|thursday|november|{{CURRENTYEAR}}}}, {{CURRENTYEAR}} (Liberia);<br /> | ||
November {{weekday in month|last|wednesday|november|{{CURRENTYEAR}}}}, {{CURRENTYEAR}} (Norfolk Island);<br /> | November {{weekday in month|last|wednesday|november|{{CURRENTYEAR}}}}, {{CURRENTYEAR}} (Norfolk Island);<br /> | ||
November <!--NOTE: This date has been VERIFIED. Thanksgiving is on the FOURTH Thursday in November, NOT the third Thursday. DO NOT CHANGE THIS DATE! -->{{weekday in month|fourth|thursday|november|{{CURRENTYEAR}}}}, {{CURRENTYEAR}} ( |
November <!--NOTE: This date has been VERIFIED. Thanksgiving is on the FOURTH Thursday in November, NOT the third Thursday. DO NOT CHANGE THIS DATE! -->{{weekday in month|fourth|thursday|november|{{CURRENTYEAR}}}}, {{CURRENTYEAR}} (U.S. and Brazil) | ||
|date{{next year}} |
| date{{next year}} = October {{weekday in month|first|sunday|october|{{next year}}}}, {{next year}} (Germany);<br /> | ||
October {{Weekday in month|second|monday|october|{{next year}}}}, {{next year}} (Canada);<br /> | |||
November {{weekday in month|first|thursday|november|{{next year}}}}, {{next year}} (Liberia);<br /> | November {{weekday in month|first|thursday|november|{{next year}}}}, {{next year}} (Liberia);<br /> | ||
November {{weekday in month|last|wednesday|november|{{next year}}}}, {{next year}} (Norfolk Island);<br /> | November {{weekday in month|last|wednesday|november|{{next year}}}}, {{next year}} (Norfolk Island);<br /> | ||
November <!--NOTE: This date has been VERIFIED. |
November <!--NOTE: This date has been VERIFIED. Thanksgiving is on the FOURTH Thursday in November, NOT the third Thursday. DO NOT CHANGE THIS DATE! -->{{weekday in month|fourth|thursday|november|{{next year}}}}, {{next year}} (U.S. and Brazil) | ||
}} | }} | ||
'''Thanksgiving''' is a national ] celebrated on various dates in October and November in the United States, Canada, ], ], and unofficially in countries like Brazil and Germany. It is also observed in the Australian territory of ]. It began as a day of giving thanks for the blessings of the ] and of the preceding year. Various similarly named ] holidays occur throughout the world during autumn. Although Thanksgiving has historical roots in religious and cultural traditions, it has long been celebrated as a ] holiday as well. | |||
==History== | |||
'''Thanksgiving Day''' is a ] celebrated primarily in the ] and ]. Traditionally, it has been a time to give thanks for a bountiful harvest. While there was an underlying religious element in the original celebration, Thanksgiving today is primarily identified as a secular holiday.<ref name="Encyclopædia Britannica">{{cite web|url = http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/590003/Thanksgiving-Day| title = Thanksgiving Day|publisher = Encyclopædia Britannica|accessdate = 2009-11-03}}</ref> | |||
Prayers of thanks and special thanksgiving ceremonies are common among most ]s after harvests and at other times of the year.{{sfn|Hodgson|2006|pp=156–59}} The Thanksgiving holiday's history in North America is rooted in English traditions dating from the Protestant ]. It also has aspects of a ], even though the harvest in ] occurs well before the late-November date on which the modern Thanksgiving holiday is celebrated.{{sfn|Hodgson|2006|pp=156–59}}{{sfn|Baker|2009a|loc=Chapter 1, esp. pp. 12–15}} | |||
In the English tradition, days of thanksgiving and special thanksgiving religious services became important during the ] in the reign of ].<ref name="Forbes2015">{{cite book |last1=Forbes |first1=Bruce David |title=America's Favorite Holidays: Candid Histories |date=27 October 2015 |publisher=] |isbn=978-0-520-28472-2 |page=155 |language=English}}</ref> Before 1536 there were 95 Church holidays, plus every Sunday, when people were required to ] and forego work. Though the 1536 reforms in the ] reduced the number of holidays in the ] to 27, the ] party in the Anglican Church wished to eliminate all Church holidays apart from the weekly ], including the ]s of ] and ] (cf. '']'').<ref name="Forbes2015"/> The holidays were to be replaced by specially called ] and ], in response to events that the Puritans viewed as acts of ]. Unexpected disasters or threats of judgement from on high called for Days of Fasting.{{sfn|Baker|2009a|pp=1–14}}<ref name="Forbes2015"/> | |||
Currently, in ], Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday of October and in the ], it is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. <!--NOTE: This date has been VERIFIED. Thanksgiving in the U.S. is on the FOURTH Thursday in November, NOT the third Thursday. DO NOT CHANGE THIS DATE! --> Thanksgiving in Canada falls on the same day as ] in the United States. | |||
Special blessings, viewed as coming from God, called for Days of Thanksgiving, which were observed through Christian ]s and other gatherings.<ref name="Forbes2015"/> For example, Days of Thanksgiving were called following the victory over the ] in 1588 and following the deliverance of ] in 1605.{{sfn|Baker|2009a|pp=1–14}} An unusual annual Day of Thanksgiving began in 1606 following the failure of the ] in 1605 and developed into ] on November 5.{{sfn|Baker|2009a|pp=1–14}} Days of Fasting were called on account of plagues in 1604 and 1622, drought in 1611, and floods in 1613. Annual Thanksgiving prayers were dictated by the charter of English settlers upon their safe landing in America in 1619 at ] in Virginia.<ref name=Dowdey>{{cite book|title=The Great Plantation|author=Dowdy, Clifford|publisher=Rinehart and Co.|year=1957|pages=29–37|author-link=Clifford Dowdey}}</ref> | |||
==History== | |||
Thanksgiving in North America had originated from a mix of European and Native traditions.<ref name=Ann>Morill, Ann "Thanksgiving and Other Harvest Festivals" Infobase Publishing, ISBN 1-6041-3096-2 p.28</ref> Typically in Europe, festivals were held before and after the harvest cycles to give thanks to God for a good harvest, to rejoice together after much hard work with the rest of the community.<ref name=Ann /> At the time, Native Americans had also celebrated the end of a harvest season.<ref name=Ann /> When Europeans first arrived to the Americas, they brought with them their own harvest festival traditions from Europe, celebrating their safe voyage, peace and good harvest.<ref>Morill, Ann "Thanksgiving and Other Harvest Festivals" Infobase Publishing, ISBN 1-6041-3096-2 p.28</ref> Though the origins of the holiday in both Canada and the United States are similar, Americans do not typically celebrate the contributions made in ], while Canadians do not celebrate the contributions made in the ], ].<ref>Morill, Ann "Thanksgiving and Other Harvest Festivals" Infobase Publishing, ISBN 1-6041-3096-2 p.29-30</ref> | |||
===In Canada=== | ===In Canada=== | ||
{{Main|Thanksgiving (Canada)}} | {{Main|Thanksgiving (Canada)}} | ||
], (1925).]] | |||
The origins of the first Thanksgiving in Canada goes back to an explorer, ], who had been trying to find a ] to the Pacific Ocean. Frobisher's Thanksgiving celebration was not for harvest, but for homecoming. He had safely returned from an unsuccessful search for the Northwest Passage, avoiding the later fate of ] and Sir ]. In the year 1578, Frobisher held a formal ceremony in ] to give thanks for surviving the long journey.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.canada.com/holidays/thanksgiving2005/story.html?id=74257801-d907-46e0-9bbd-c386515c6fe5 |title=Canada's first Thanksgiving: Frobisher set stage for our celebrations in different spirit than U.S.|publisher=]}}</ref> Years later, the tradition of a feast would continue as more settlers began to arrive to the Canadian colonies.<ref>Morill, Ann "Thanksgiving and Other Harvest Festivals" Infobase Publishing, ISBN 1-6041-3096-2 p.31</ref> | |||
According to some historians, the first celebration of Thanksgiving in North America occurred during the 1578 voyage of ] from England in search of the ].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Mills|first1=David|last2=Neilson Bonikowsky|first2=Laura|last3=McIntosh|first3=Andrew|title=Thanksgiving in Canada|url=http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/thanksgiving-day/|website=Canadian Encyclopedia|publisher=Historica Canada|access-date=6 October 2017|archive-date=October 12, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151012051058/http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/thanksgiving-day/|url-status=live}}</ref> Other researchers, however, state that "there is no compelling narrative of the origins of the Canadian Thanksgiving day."<ref name=Kaufman>{{cite book|last=Kaufman|first=Jason Andrew|title=The Origins of Canadian & American Political Differences|year=2009|publisher=Harvard University Press|isbn=978-0674031364|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nC6piY4KaLQC&pg=PA29|page=29|access-date=November 17, 2015|archive-date=January 17, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117022916/https://books.google.com/books?id=nC6piY4KaLQC&pg=PA29|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
The origins of Canadian Thanksgiving can also be traced to the French settlers who came to ] with explorer ] in the early 17th century, who also took to celebrating their successful harvests. The French settlers in the area typically had feasts at the end of the harvest season and continued throughout the winter season, even sharing their food with the ] of the area.<ref name=Ruth>Solski, Ruth "Canada's Traditions and Celebrations" McGill-Queen's Press, ISBN 1-5503-5694-1 p.12</ref> Champlain had also proposed for the creation of the ] in 1606.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/ns/portroyal/natcul/histor.aspx |title=Port-Royal National Historic Site of Canada |work=National Historic Sites |publisher=Parks Canada |accessdate=8 December 2010}}</ref> | |||
Antecedents for Canadian Thanksgiving are also sometimes traced to the French settlers who came to ] in the 17th century, who celebrated their successful harvests. The French settlers in the area typically had feasts at the end of the harvest season. They continued throughout the winter season, even sharing food with the ] of the area.<ref name=Ruth>Solski, Ruth "Canada's Traditions and Celebrations" McGill-Queen's Press,{{ISBN|1550356941}} p. 12</ref> | |||
As many more settlers arrived in Canada, more celebrations of good harvest became common. New immigrants into the country, such as the Irish, Scottish and Germans, would also add their own traditions to the harvest celebrations. Most of the U.S. aspects of Thanksgiving (such as the turkey) were incorporated when ]s began to flee from the United States during the ] and settled in Canada.<ref name=Ruth /> | |||
As settlers arrived in Nova Scotia from New England after 1700, late autumn Thanksgiving celebrations became commonplace. New immigrants into the country—such as the Irish, Scottish, and Germans—also added their own traditions to the harvest celebrations. Most of the U.S. aspects of Thanksgiving (such as the turkey) were incorporated when ]s began to ] during and after the ] and settled in Canada.<ref name=Ruth /> | |||
In 1859, the government of the provinces of Canada declared a Thanksgiving Day in which "all Canadians to spend the holiday in 'public and solemn' recognition of God's mercies."<ref name="Duncan2006">{{cite book |last1=Duncan |first1=Dorothy |title=Canadians at Table: Food, Fellowship, and Folklore: A Culinary History of Canada |date=16 September 2006 |publisher=Dundurn |isbn=978-1-77070-235-6 |language=en}}</ref> On 9 October 1879, Canada's Governor General, the ], declared November 6 as "a day of General Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed."<ref name="Duncan2006"/> The Canadian Parliament on 31 January 1957 applied the same language in its proclamation for the modern holiday: "A Day of General Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed—to be observed on the second Monday in October."<ref name="Kelch2013">{{cite book |last1=Kelch |first1=Kalie |title=Grab Your Boarding Pass |date=27 August 2013 |publisher=Review & Herald Publishing Association |isbn=978-0-8127-5654-8 |language=English}}</ref> | |||
===In the United States=== | ===In the United States=== | ||
{{Main|Thanksgiving (United States)}} | {{Main|Thanksgiving (United States)}} | ||
] | ]'s 1914 portrait, ''The First Thanksgiving at Plymouth'', now on display at ] in ]]] | ||
]'s 1925 portrait, ''Thanksgiving at Plymouth'', now on display at the ] in ]]] | |||
In the United States, the modern Thanksgiving holiday tradition traces its origins to a 1621 celebration at Plymouth in present-day ]. There is also evidence for an earlier harvest celebration on the continent by Spanish explorers in Florida during 1565, as well as thanksgiving feasts in the ]. The initial thanksgiving observance at Virginia in 1619 was prompted by the colonists' leaders to give thanks to God on the anniversary of the settlement.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.covenantnews.com/thanks01.htm|title=The First Thanksgiving Proclamation — June 20, 1676|work=The Covenant News|accessdate=2008-11-27}}</ref> The 1621 Plymouth feast and thanksgiving to God was prompted by a good harvest. In later years, the tradition was continued by civil leaders such as ] who planned a thanksgiving celebration in 1623.<ref>Bradford, ''Of Plymouth Plantation, 1620-1647'', pp. 120-121.</ref><ref>Bradford, ''History of Plymouth Plantation'', pp. 135-142.</ref> a fast,<ref name="Love">Love, ''The Fast and Thanksgiving Days of New England'', pp. 78-90.</ref> | |||
An annual thanksgiving holiday tradition in North American colonies is documented for the first time in 1619, in what is now called the Commonwealth of ]. Thirty-eight English settlers aboard the ship ''Margaret'' arrived by way of the James River at ] in ] on December 4, 1619. The landing was immediately followed by a religious celebration, specifically dictated by the group's charter from the ]. The charter declared, "that the day of our ships arrival at the place assigned for plantation in the land of Virginia shall be yearly and perpetually kept holy as a day of thanksgiving to Almighty God."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/article/first-thanksgiving-berkeley-virginia-pilgrim-archaeology|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307024748/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/article/first-thanksgiving-berkeley-virginia-pilgrim-archaeology|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 7, 2021|title=The First Thanksgiving|publisher=National Geographic|access-date=November 29, 2016}}</ref><ref name=Dowdey/> Since the mid 20th century, the original celebration has been commemorated there annually at present-day ], ancestral home of the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.berkeleyplantation.com/first-thanksgiving.html|title=History of the First Thanksgiving|last=Woodlief|first=H. Graham|publisher=Berkeley Plantation|access-date=November 23, 2021|archive-date=November 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211123232444/http://www.berkeleyplantation.com/first-thanksgiving.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
The more familiar Thanksgiving precedent accompanied by feasting is traced to the ] and ] who emigrated from England in the 1620s and 1630s. They brought their previous tradition of Days of Fasting and Days of Thanksgiving with them to ]. The 1621 ] thanksgiving was prompted by a good harvest. The Pilgrims celebrated this with the ]s, a tribe of Native Americans who, along with the ], had helped them get through the previous winter by giving them food in that time of scarcity, in exchange for an alliance and protection against the rival ].<ref name=Julian>{{Cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1996-11-20-9611200300-story.html|title=HISTORY IS SERVED|vauthors=Julian S, ((The Boston Globe))|website=chicagotribune.com|date=November 20, 1996|access-date=November 30, 2019|archive-date=August 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170826170449/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1996-11-20/entertainment/9611200300_1_plimoth-plantation-pilgrims-william-brewster|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
While initially, the Plymouth colony did not have enough food to feed half of the 102 colonists, the ] Native Americans helped the ]s by providing seeds and teaching them to fish. The practice of holding an annual harvest festival like this however, did not become a regular affair in New England until the late 1660s.<ref>Kaufman, Jason Andrew "The origins of Canadian and American political differences" Harvard University Press, 2009, ISBN 0-6740-3136-9 p.28</ref> | |||
Several days of Thanksgiving were held in early New England history that have been identified as the "First Thanksgiving", including Pilgrim holidays in Plymouth in 1621 and 1623, and a Puritan holiday in ] in 1631.{{sfn|Baker|2009a|loc=Chapter 1}}<ref name=History2>{{cite book|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=qf9nq9lFwyQC&q=thanksgiving+holiday+give+thanks+God+Noah&pg=PA381|title = How Christianity Changed the World|publisher = ]|author = Alvin J. Schmidt|year = 2004|access-date = January 30, 2012|isbn = 9780310264491|archive-date = January 17, 2023|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230117022916/https://books.google.com/books?id=qf9nq9lFwyQC&q=thanksgiving+holiday+give+thanks+God+Noah&pg=PA381|url-status = live}}</ref> Now called ''],'' Leiden's autumn thanksgiving celebration in 1617 was the occasion for sectarian disturbance that appears to have accelerated the pilgrims' plans to emigrate to America.<ref>{{cite book | title=Making Haste From Babylon: the Mayflower Pilgrims and Their World | publisher=Vintage Books | author=Bunker, Nick | year=2010 | location=New York | pages=220–21 | isbn=9780307386267}}</ref> | |||
According to historian Jeremy Bangs, director of the ], the ] may have been influenced by watching the annual services of Thanksgiving for the relief of the ] in 1574, while they were staying in Leiden.<ref>{{cite web |author=Jeremy Bangs |title=Influences|url=http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~netlapm/Page31K.htm |work=The Pilgrims' Leiden |accessdate=2010-09-11}}</ref> | |||
Later in New England, religious thanksgiving services were declared by civil leaders such as ], who planned the Plymouth colony's thanksgiving celebration and feast in 1623.<ref>Bradford, ''Of Plymouth Plantation, 1620–1647'', pp. 120–21.</ref><ref>Bradford, ''History of Plymouth Plantation'', pp. 135–42.</ref><ref> by William DeLoss Love, Houghton, Mifflin and Co., Cambridge, 1895</ref> The practice of holding an annual thanksgiving harvest festival did not become a regular affair in New England until the late 1660s.<ref>{{cite book|author=Kaufman, Jason Andrew|title=The origins of Canadian and American political differences|location=Cambridge, MA|publisher=Harvard University Press|date= 2009| isbn= 978-0674031364 |page=28}}</ref> | |||
====Contending origins==== | |||
The claim of where the first Thanksgiving was held in the United States, and even the Americas has often been a subject of debate. | |||
Author and teacher ] and ], of the ], have argued that the earliest attested "Thanksgiving" celebration in what is now the United States was celebrated by the ] on ], 1565 in what is now ].<ref></ref><ref></ref> | |||
Thanksgiving proclamations were made mostly by church leaders in New England up until 1682, and then by both state and church leaders until after the ]. During the revolutionary period, political influences affected the issuance of Thanksgiving proclamations. Various proclamations were made by ], and conversely by ] leaders, such as ], General ], and the ],<ref>{{cite web|last=Klos|first=Stanley|title=Thanksgiving Day Proclamations|url=http://www.thanksgivingproclamations.com/|work=Presidential Thanksgiving Proclamations|publisher=Historic.us|access-date=October 16, 2013|archive-date=October 17, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017023053/http://www.thanksgivingproclamations.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> each giving thanks to God for events favorable to their causes.{{sfn|Hodgson|2006|pp=159–66}} As the first President of the United States, George Washington proclaimed the first nationwide thanksgiving celebration in America marking November 26, 1789, "as a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favours of Almighty God",{{sfn|Hodgson|2006|p=167}} and calling on Americans to "unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions."<ref name=GW1789>{{cite web|url=https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/05-04-02-0091|title=Thanksgiving Proclamation, 3 October 1789|work=George Washington Papers|publisher=Library of Congress|access-date=January 26, 2008|archive-date=December 8, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131208205146/http://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/05-04-02-0091|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
Similarly, many historians point out that the first thanksgiving celebration in the United States was held in Virginia, and not in Plymouth. Thanksgiving services were routine in what was to become the state of Virginia as early as 1607.<ref name=Ann2>Morill, Ann "Thanksgiving and Other Harvest Festivals" Infobase Publishing, ISBN 1-6041-3096-2 p.33</ref> A day of Thanksgiving was codified in the founding ] of ] in ] in 1619.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.covenantnews.com/thanks01.htm|title=The First Thanksgiving Proclamation — June 20, 1676|publisher=The Covenant News |accessdate=2008-11-27}}</ref> | |||
=== |
====Debate over first celebrations==== | ||
{{See also|Myth of the First Thanksgiving}}] in 1619]] | |||
The reason for the earlier Thanksgiving celebrations in Canada has often been attributed to the earlier onset of winter in the north, thus ending the harvest season earlier.<ref name=Kauf>Kaufman, Jason Andrew "The origins of Canadian and American political differences" Harvard University Press, 2009, ISBN 0-6740-3136-9 p.29</ref> Thanksgiving in Canada did not have a fixed date until the late 19th century. Prior to ], many of the individual colonial governors of the Canadian provinces had declared their own days of Thanksgiving. The first official Canadian Thanksgiving occurred on April 15, 1872 when the nation was celebrating the ]'s recovery from a serious illness.<ref name=Kauf /> By the end 19th Century, Thanksgiving Day was normally celebrated on November 6. However, when ] ended, the ] holiday were usually held during the same week. To prevent the two holidays from clashing with one another, in 1957 the ] proclaimed Thanksgiving to be observed on its present date on the second Monday of October.<ref name=Ruth /> | |||
Devotees in ], ], ] and ] have maintained contradictory claims to having held the first Thanksgiving celebration in what became the United States. The question is complicated by the concept of Thanksgiving as either a holiday celebration or a religious service. James Baker maintains, "The American holiday's true origin was the New England ] Thanksgiving. Never coupled with a Sabbath meeting, the Puritan observances were special days set aside during the week for thanksgiving and praise in response to God's providence."{{sfn|Baker|2009a|loc=Chapter 1}} Baker calls the debate a "tempest in a beanpot" and "marvelous nonsense" based on regional claims.{{sfn|Baker|2009a|loc=Chapter 1}} | |||
In 1963, President ] acknowledged both the Virginia and ] claims. Kennedy issued Proclamation 3560 on November 5, 1963, stating, "Over three centuries ago, our forefathers in Virginia and in Massachusetts, far from home in a lonely wilderness, set aside a time of thanksgiving. On the appointed day, they gave reverent thanks for their safety, for the health of their children, for the fertility of their fields, for the love which bound them together, and for the faith which united them with their God."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=9511|title=John F. Kennedy 35th President, Thanksgiving Proclamation, Nov. 5, 1963|publisher=The American Presidency Project|access-date=November 24, 2016|archive-date=November 25, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161125045641/http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=9511|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
Thanksgiving in the United States was observed on various dates throughout history. The first Thanksgiving which was celebrated on a fixed day was in 1863, in an effort by President ] to foster a sense of American unity between the Northern and Southern states.<ref name=Ann2 /> By the middle of the 20th century, the final Thursday in November had become the customary day of Thanksgiving in most U.S. states. It was not until December 26, 1941, however, that President ], after pushing two years earlier to ] to give the country an economic boost, signed a bill into law with ], making Thanksgiving a national holiday and settling it to the fourth (but not final) Thursday in November.<ref>See 55 Stat. 862 (1941).</ref> | |||
Other claims include an earlier religious service by Spanish explorers at ] in ] in 1598.<ref>C. Michael Hogan (2011). {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025183933/http://www.eoearth.org/article/Thanksgiving?topic=49578 |date=October 25, 2012 }}</ref>{{Citation needed|reason=Linked page does not reference event described in previous sentence.|date=November 2024}} Historians Robyn Gioia and ] of the ] argue that the earliest Thanksgiving service in what is now the United States was celebrated by the ] on September 8, 1565, in current ], Florida.<ref>{{cite web |last=Wilson |first=Craig |url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/lifestyle/2007-11-20-first-thanksgiving_N.htm |title=Florida teacher chips away at Plymouth Rock Thanksgiving myth |publisher=Usatoday.com |date=November 21, 2007 |access-date=September 5, 2011 |archive-date=November 26, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111126034126/http://www.usatoday.com/life/lifestyle/2007-11-20-first-thanksgiving_N.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Davis |first=Kenneth C. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/26/opinion/26davis.html?th&emc=th |title=A French Connection |work=] |date=November 25, 2008 |access-date=September 5, 2011 |archive-date=May 14, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130514110426/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/26/opinion/26davis.html?th&emc=th |url-status=live }}</ref> The thanksgiving at St. Augustine was celebrated 56 years before the Puritan Pilgrim thanksgiving at Plymouth Plantation (Massachusetts), but it did not become the origin of a national annual tradition. | |||
===Fixing a date=== | |||
====Canada==== | |||
The earlier Thanksgiving celebrations in Canada has been attributed to the earlier onset of winter in the North, thus ending the harvest season earlier.<ref name=Kauf>Kaufman, Jason Andrew (2009). "The origins of Canadian and American political differences" Harvard University Press, {{ISBN|0674031369}} p. 29</ref> Thanksgiving in Canada did not have a fixed date until the late 19th century. Prior to ], many of the individual colonial governors of the Canadian provinces had declared their own days of Thanksgiving. The first official Canadian Thanksgiving occurred on April 15, 1872, when the nation was celebrating the ]' recovery from a serious illness.<ref name=Kauf /> | |||
By the end of the 19th century, Thanksgiving Day was normally celebrated on November 6 (see also ] discussed above). In the late 19th century, the militia staged "sham battles" for public entertainment on Thanksgiving Day. The militia agitated for an earlier date for the holiday, so they could use the warmer weather to draw bigger crowds.<ref>Wood, James "Militia Myths: Ideas of the Canadian Citizen Soldier, 1896-1921." UBC Press, 2010 {{ISBN|978-0-7748-1765-3}} p.30</ref> However, when the ] ended, the ] holiday was usually held during the same week. To prevent the two holidays from clashing with one another, in 1957 the ] proclaimed Thanksgiving to be observed on its present date on the second Monday of October.<ref name=Ruth /> | |||
====United States==== | |||
Thanksgiving in the United States has been observed on differing dates. From the time of the ] until ] made it a national holiday in 1863, the date of observance varied from state to state. The final Thursday in November had become the customary date in most U.S. states by the beginning of the 19th century, coinciding with, and eventually superseding the holiday of ] (commemorating the day the British exited the United States after the Revolutionary War).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nypl.org/blog/2014/11/24/evacuation-day-new-york-holiday|title=Evacuation Day: New York's Former November Holiday|date=November 24, 2014|access-date=April 5, 2019|archive-date=August 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809215705/https://www.nypl.org/blog/2014/11/24/evacuation-day-new-york-holiday|url-status=live}}</ref> Influenced by New Englander ], who wrote letters to politicians for approximately 40 years advocating an official holiday, Lincoln set national Thanksgiving by proclamation for the final Thursday in November in celebration of the bounties that had continued to fall on the Union and for the military successes in the war, also calling on the American people, "with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience ... fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty hand to heal the wounds of the nation...."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.abrahamlincolnonline.org/lincoln/speeches/thanks.htm|title=Thanksgiving Proclamation by Abraham Lincoln|website=www.abrahamlincolnonline.org|access-date=2018-10-30|archive-date=October 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181020205553/http://www.abrahamlincolnonline.org/lincoln/speeches/thanks.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Because of the ongoing ], a nationwide Thanksgiving celebration was not realized until ] in the 1870s. | |||
On October 31, 1939, President ] signed a ] changing the holiday to the next to last Thursday in November in an effort to boost the economy.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.newspapers.com/image/188846244/?terms=Thanksgiving+roosevelt|title=31 Oct 1939, Page 1 - Green Bay Press-Gazette at Newspapers.com|website=Newspapers.com|access-date=November 30, 2019|archive-date=August 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807131039/http://www.newspapers.com/image/188846244/?terms=Thanksgiving+roosevelt|url-status=live}}</ref> The earlier date created an extra seven days for ] since at that time retailers never began promoting the Christmas season until after Thanksgiving. But making the proclamation so close to the change wreaked havoc on the holiday schedules of many people, schools, and businesses, and most Americans were not in favor of the change. Some of those who opposed the change dubbed the holiday "]" that year. Some state governors went along with the change while others stuck with the original November 30 date for the holiday, and three states — Colorado, Mississippi, and Texas — observed both dates.<ref>{{cite news |title=Franklin Roosevelt moved Thanksgiving up a week to goose the economy. Chaos ensued. |date=24 Nov 2021 |author=Ronald G. Shafer |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2021/11/24/franskgiving-fdr-moved-thanksgiving/ |access-date=November 24, 2021 |archive-date=November 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211124234509/https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2021/11/24/franskgiving-fdr-moved-thanksgiving/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The double Thanksgiving continued for two more years, and then on December 26, 1941, Roosevelt signed a ] of Congress changing the official national Thanksgiving Day to the fourth Thursday in November starting in 1942 (there are usually four but sometimes five Thursdays in November, depending on the year).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.archives.gov/legislative/features/thanksgiving|title=Congress Establishes Thanksgiving|date=August 15, 2016|website=National Archives|access-date=November 3, 2018|archive-date=November 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181108074001/https://www.archives.gov/legislative/features/thanksgiving|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
Since 1971, when the American ] took effect, the American observance of ] has coincided with the Canadian observance of Thanksgiving.<ref>{{cite news |title=LBJ Signs Bill to Set Up Five 3-Day Holidays |agency=Associated Press |work=Sarasota Herald-Tribune |date=June 29, 1968 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=9eYhAAAAIBAJ&pg=6061,7091289&dq=district+of+columbia&hl=en |access-date=December 6, 2011 |archive-date=October 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211011110334/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=9eYhAAAAIBAJ&pg=6061%2C7091289&dq=district+of+columbia&hl=en |url-status=live }} The bill became the ].</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2004/winter/images/uniform-monday-holiday-law.jpg|title=Text of the 1968 Uniform Monday Holiday Act|publisher=US Government Archives (www.archives.gov)|access-date=December 6, 2011|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304050249/http://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2004/winter/images/uniform-monday-holiday-law.jpg|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
==Observance== | |||
===Australia=== | |||
In the ] of ], Thanksgiving is celebrated on the last Wednesday of November, similar to the pre–] American observance on the last Thursday of the month. Due to the time difference of between 14 and 17 hours, this means the Norfolk Island observance is two days before or five days after the United States' observance. The holiday was brought to the island by visiting American ] ships.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ag.gov.au/www/agd/agd.nsf/Page/TerritoriesofAustralia_NorfolkIsland_NorfolkIslandInformationandServices#Public |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100920094330/http://ag.gov.au/www/agd/agd.nsf/Page/TerritoriesofAustralia_NorfolkIsland_NorfolkIslandInformationandServices#Public |title=Norfolk Island Information and Services |archive-date=September 20, 2010}}</ref> | |||
=== Brazil === | |||
In Brazil, National Thanksgiving Day ({{langx|pt|Dia de Ação de Graças}}) was instituted by ], through Law 781 of August 17, 1949, at the suggestion of Ambassador ], who was enthusiastic about the commemorations he saw in 1909 in ] as an ambassador in Washington. In 1966, Law 5110 established that the Thanksgiving celebration would take place on the fourth Thursday of November.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.justica.gov.br/Acesso/institucional/sumario/dia-nacional-de-acoes-de-gracas|title=Dia Nacional de Ações de Graças|website=Ministério da Justiça e Segurança Pública|language=pt-br|access-date=2019-11-29|archive-date=April 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401183001/http://www.justica.gov.br/Acesso/institucional/sumario/dia-nacional-de-acoes-de-gracas|url-status=live}}</ref> This date is celebrated by many families of American origin, by some Protestant Christian denominations, such as the ] (which is of American origin), the ], the ], the ], and the ], and Methodist denominational universities. The day is also celebrated by ] such as the ] in Brazil. | |||
==Observance around the world== | |||
===Canada=== | ===Canada=== | ||
{{Main|Thanksgiving (Canada)}} | {{Main|Thanksgiving (Canada)}} | ||
], commonly served at Thanksgiving in ]]] | |||
'''Thanksgiving''', or '''Thanksgiving Day''' (]: ''Jour de l'Action de grâce''), occurring on the second Monday in October, is an annual Canadian ] to ] at the close of the harvest season. Although the original act of Parliament references ] and the holiday is celebrated in churches, the holiday is mostly celebrated in a ] manner. Thanksgiving is a ] in all provinces in Canada, except for ], ], and ]. While businesses may remain open in these provinces, the holiday is nonetheless, recognized and celebrated regardless of its status.<ref>{{cite web |title=Paid public holidays |url=http://www.workrights.ca/content.php?sec=9 |publisher=WorkRights.ca}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gov.ns.ca/lwd/employmentrights/thanksgiving.asp |title=Thanksgiving - is it a Statutory Holiday? |publisher=Government of Nova Scotia |date= |accessdate=2008-10-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gov.pe.ca/law/statutes/pdf/e-06_2.pdf |title=Statutes, Chapter E-6.2 |publisher=Government of Prince Edward Island |date= |format=PDF |accessdate=2008-10-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://assembly.nl.ca/Legislation/sr/statutes/l02.htm#14_ |title=RSNL1990 Chapter L-2 - Labour Standards Act |publisher=Assembly of Newfoundland |date= |accessdate=2008-10-13}}</ref><ref name=stat>{{cite web |url=http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/lp/spila/clli/eslc/stat_hol.pdf |format=PDF |publisher=Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, Canada |title=Statutory Holidays}}</ref> | |||
Thanksgiving ({{langx|fr|l'Action de grâce}}), occurring on the second Monday in October, is an annual Canadian ] to ] at the close of the harvest season. Although the original act of Parliament references ] and the holiday is celebrated in churches, the holiday is mostly celebrated in a ] manner. Thanksgiving is a ] in all provinces in Canada, except for ] and ]. While businesses may remain open in these provinces, the holiday is nonetheless recognized and celebrated regardless of its status.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.workrights.ca/content.php?sec=9 |title=Statutory Holidays |website=WorkRights.ca |access-date=2010-12-08 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101218131207/http://www.workrights.ca/content.php?sec=9 |archive-date=December 18, 2010 |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gov.ns.ca/lae/employmentrights/thanksgiving.asp |title=Thanksgiving – is it a Statutory Holiday? |publisher=Government of Nova Scotia |access-date=October 13, 2008 |archive-date=November 23, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111123113444/https://www.gov.ns.ca/lae/employmentrights/thanksgiving.asp |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gov.pe.ca/law/statutes/pdf/e-06_2.pdf |title=Statutes, Chapter E-6.2 |publisher=Government of Prince Edward Island |access-date=October 13, 2008 |archive-date=October 31, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081031043413/http://www.gov.pe.ca/law/statutes/pdf/e-06_2.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://assembly.nl.ca/Legislation/sr/statutes/l02.htm#14_ |title=RSNL1990 Chapter L-2 – Labour Standards Act |publisher=Assembly of Newfoundland |access-date=October 13, 2008 |archive-date=December 21, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081221125807/http://assembly.nl.ca/Legislation/sr/statutes/l02.htm#14_ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=stat>{{cite web |url=http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/lp/spila/clli/eslc/stat_hol.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080229081421/http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/lp/spila/clli/eslc/stat_hol.pdf |archive-date=February 29, 2008 |publisher=Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, Canada |title=Statutory Holidays}}</ref> | |||
===Germany=== | |||
] Thanksgiving harvest festival celebrated in ]]] | |||
The Harvest Thanksgiving Festival, ], is a popular ] festival in some German municipalities on the first Sunday of October. The festival has a significant religious component, and many churches are decorated with autumn crops. In some places, there are ] or parades.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hamel |first=Katharina |title=Erntedankfest 2024: Warum feiern wir Erntedank? {{!}} Sonntags |url=https://www.sonntagsblatt.de/artikel/basiswissen-christentum/glaube/warum-feiern-wir-das-erntedankfest |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=www.sonntagsblatt.de |language=de}}</ref> | |||
===Liberia=== | ===Liberia=== | ||
In the West African country of Liberia, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the first Thursday of November.<ref>{{cite web|title=Vice President Boakai Joins Catholic Community in Bomi to Celebrate Thanksgiving Day|url=http://www.emansion.gov.lr/2press.php?news_id=1709&related=20&pg=sp&sub=41|work=The Executive Mansion|publisher=Republic of Liberia|access-date=October 5, 2014|date=November 5, 2010|archive-date=October 6, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006072458/http://www.emansion.gov.lr/2press.php?news_id=1709&related=20&pg=sp&sub=41|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 1883, the ] enacted a statute declaring this day as a national holiday.<ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|url=https://thenewdawnliberia.com/ellen-declares-thursday-2-november-as-national-thanksgiving-day/|title=Ellen declares Thursday, 2 November as National Thanksgiving Day|publisher=The New Dawn Liberia|date=November 1, 2017|access-date=December 2, 2021|archive-date=January 28, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220128052515/https://thenewdawnliberia.com/ellen-declares-thursday-2-november-as-national-thanksgiving-day/|url-status=live}}</ref> Thanksgiving is celebrated in the country in large part due to the nation's founding as a colony of the ] in 1821 by former slaves and ] from the United States. However, the Liberian celebration of the holiday is notably different from the American celebration. While some Liberian families chose to celebrate with a feast or cook out, it is not considered a staple of the holiday and there is no specific food heavily associated with Thanksgiving. Some chose to celebrate the holiday by attending religious ceremonies, while others take it as a day for relaxation. Others view the holiday as an imposition from the American settlers of the country. In the years following the ], some Liberians have taken the holiday as a time to be thankful for this new period peace and relative stability.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hallett|first=Vicky|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2021/11/24/1057267834/former-slaves-brought-thanksgiving-to-liberia-and-rebooted-it|title=Former slaves brought Thanksgiving to Liberia — and rebooted it|publisher=]|date=November 24, 2021|access-date=December 2, 2021|archive-date=November 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231124120706/https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2021/11/24/1057267834/former-slaves-brought-thanksgiving-to-liberia-and-rebooted-it|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|url=https://www.npr.org/transcripts/247691906|title=Thanksgiving In Liberia|publisher=]|date=November 28, 2013|access-date=December 2, 2021|archive-date=December 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211203002106/https://www.npr.org/transcripts/247691906|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
In the West African country of ], Thanksgiving is celebrated on the first Thursday of November.<ref>{{cite web|title=Vice President Boakai Joins Catholic Community in Bomi to Celebrate Thanksgiving Day|url=http://www.emansion.gov.lr/press.php?news_id=1709&related=|work=The Executive Mansion|publisher=Republic of Liberia|accessdate=2010-11-28|date=2010-11-05}}</ref> | |||
=== |
===Netherlands=== | ||
]]] | |||
Many of the Pilgrims who would end up at the Plymouth Plantation had resided in the city of ] from 1609–1620, many of whom had recorded their birth, marriages and deaths at the ].<ref>{{cite web |author=Consulate General of the United States, Amsterdam |title=Thanksgiving Day Events in the Netherlands, 2007|url=http://amsterdam.usconsulate.gov/thanksgiving_events.html |work=U.S. Department of State |accessdate=2010-10-02}}</ref> To commemorate this, a non-denominational Thanksgiving Day service is held each year on the morning of the American Thanksgiving Day in the Pieterskerk, a ] church in Leiden, to commemorate the hospitality the Pilgrims received in Leiden on their way to the ].<ref>{{cite news|first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Dutch town|url=http://www.theworld.org/?q=node/22856&answer=true |quote=The Pilgrims arrived in Leiden in 1609, after fleeing religious persecution in England. Leiden welcomed them because it needed immigrants to help rebuild its textile industry, which had been devastated by a long revolt against Spain. Here, the Pilgrims were allowed to worship as they wanted, and they even published their arguments calling for the separation of church and state. Jeremy Bangs directs the Leiden American Pilgrim Museum. He says the Pilgrims quickly adopted several Dutch customs, like civil marriage and Thanksgiving. |work=] |date= |accessdate=2008-11-28 }}</ref> | |||
Many of the Pilgrims who migrated to the ] resided in ] from 1609 to 1620, and had recorded their births, marriages, and deaths at the ]. In commemoration, a non-denominational Thanksgiving Day service is held each year on the morning of the American Thanksgiving Day in the Pieterskerk, a ] church in Leiden, noting the hospitality the Pilgrims received in Leiden on their way to the ].<ref>{{cite news |title=Dutch town |url=http://www.theworld.org/?q=node/22856&answer=true |work=] |access-date=November 28, 2008 |archive-date=March 22, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090322190258/http://www.theworld.org/?q=node/22856&answer=true |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
Thanksgiving is observed by orthodox Protestant churches in the Netherlands on the first Wednesday in November ({{ill|Dankdag|nl|Biddag en Dankdag voor Gewas en Arbeid|vertical-align=sup}}). It is not a public holiday. Those who observe the day either go to church in the evening or take the day off and go to church in the morning (and occasionally afternoon) too. | |||
===Norfolk Island=== | |||
In the ] of ], Thanksgiving is celebrated on the last Wednesday of November, similar to the pre-] American observance on the last Thursday of the month. This means the Norfolk Island observance is the day before or six days after the ] observance. The holiday was brought to the island by visiting American ] ships.<ref></ref> | |||
===Philippines=== | |||
An American colony from 1901 to 1946, the ] observed Thanksgiving as a special public holiday on the same day as the Americans.<ref>{{Cite news |date=December 27, 1898 |title=Thanksgiving in Philippines: First Celebration of the American Holiday in Eastern Colony |pages=7 |work=] |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=54NbAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA7 |access-date=September 24, 2022 |archive-date=September 24, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220924123553/https://books.google.com/books?id=54NbAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA7 |url-status=live }}</ref> During the Japanese occupation during ], both the Americans and Filipinos celebrated Thanksgiving in secret. After Japanese withdrawal in 1945, the tradition continued until 1969.<ref>{{cite web |title=Once upon a time, PH observed Thanksgiving Day every Sept. 21 |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/opinion/pieces/941-once-upon-a-time-ph-observed-thanksgiving-day-every-sept-21 |website=www.pna.gov.ph |language=en}}</ref> In 1973, President ] issued Proclamation 1180, changing the date to September 21, altering the holiday as a celebration of the ]<ref>{{cite web |title=Proclamation No. 1180 |url=https://lawphil.net/executive/proc/proc1973/proc_1180_1973.html |website=lawphil.net |access-date=28 November 2024}}</ref> This continued until ] in 1986.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Thanksgiving in the Philippines |url=http://malacanang.gov.ph/74644-thanksgiving-in-the-philippines/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129225326/http://malacanang.gov.ph/74644-thanksgiving-in-the-philippines/ |archive-date=November 29, 2014 |access-date=November 27, 2015 |website=Philippine Presidential Museum and Library}}</ref> Since the ], with no proclamations declaring the observance of thanksgiving, it is no longer officially celebrated in the country as a public holiday.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ferrell |first1=Nicholas A. |title=History of Thanksgiving Proclamations in the Philippines |url=https://thenewleafjournal.com/history-of-thanksgiving-proclamations-in-the-philippines/ |website=The New Leaf Journal |date=23 November 2022}}</ref> | |||
===Saint Lucia=== | |||
The nation of Saint Lucia celebrates Thanksgiving on the first Monday in October.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stluciachamber.org/uploadedImages/contentImg/file/List%20of%20Holidays%20for%202015%20(1).pdf |title=Saint Lucia's List of Holidays for the Year 2015 |website=Stluciachamber.org |access-date=2017-04-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314100648/http://www.stluciachamber.org/uploadedImages/contentImg/file/List%20of%20Holidays%20for%202015%20(1).pdf |archive-date=March 14, 2016 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> | |||
===United Kingdom=== | |||
] flowers at a church in ], England]] | |||
The ''Harvest Festival of Thanksgiving'' does not have an official date in the United Kingdom; however, it is traditionally held on or near the Sunday of the ] that occurs closest to the autumnal equinox. Harvest Thanksgiving in Britain also has pre-Christian roots when the Saxons would offer the first sheaf of barley, oats, or wheat to fertility gods. When the harvest was finally collected, communities would come together for a harvest supper.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.crewsnest.vispa.com/thanksgivingUK.htm |title=Harvest Festival UK |website=Crewsnest.vispa.com |access-date=2017-04-17 |archive-date=January 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128100813/http://www.crewsnest.vispa.com/thanksgivingUK.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> When Christianity arrived in Britain many traditions remained, and today the Harvest Festival is marked by churches and schools in late September/early October (same as Canada) with singing, praying and decorating with baskets of food and fruit to celebrate a successful harvest and to give thanks.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://resources.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/harvest.html |title=Harvest Festival |website=resources.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk |via=projectbritain.com |access-date=2015-06-18 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150623163507/http://resources.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/Harvest.html |archive-date=June 23, 2015 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Collections of food are usually held which are then given to local charities which help the homeless and those in need. | |||
===United States=== | ===United States=== | ||
{{Main|Thanksgiving (United States)}} | {{Main|Thanksgiving (United States)}} | ||
] before Thanksgiving dinner in ] in 1942]] | |||
'''Thanksgiving''' or '''Thanksgiving Day''', currently celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November, has been an annual tradition in the United States since 1863. Historically, Thanksgiving began as a tradition of celebrating the ] of the year.<ref name="Encyclopædia Britannica">{{cite web|url =http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/590003/Thanksgiving-Day| title = Thanksgiving Day|publisher = Encyclopædia Britannica|accessdate = 2009-11-03}}</ref> | |||
In the ], Thanksgiving is an annual tradition that was federally formalized through an 1863 ] proclamation by ], but was implemented as state legislation since the nation's founding. | |||
In 1941, federal legislation by the ] formalized Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday in November. | |||
==References== | |||
{{Reflist|2}} | |||
The holiday traditionally has been a celebration of the blessings of the year, including the harvest.<ref name=EB-TD>{{cite encyclopedia |url=http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/590003/Thanksgiving-Day |encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica |title=Thanksgiving Day |access-date=November 25, 2011 |archive-date=November 17, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101117114930/http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/590003/Thanksgiving-Day |url-status=live }}</ref> On Thanksgiving Day, it is common for Americans to share a family meal, attend ]s, and view special sporting events.<ref name="Counihan2013">{{cite book |last1=Counihan |first1=Carole |title=Food in the USA: A Reader |date=18 October 2013 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-135-32359-2 |page=5 |language=en}}</ref> | |||
==Further reading== | |||
* {{cite web|last=Dow (Abenaki) |first=Judy|title=Deconstructing the Myths of “The First Thanksgiving”|url=http://www.oyate.org/resources/shortthanks.html|publisher=Oyate.org |accessdate=2010-11-29|coauthors=Slapin, Beverly|date=2006-06-12}} | |||
Thanksgiving is celebrated in public places with parades such as ]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://rove.me/to/new-york/macys-thanksgiving-day-parade|title=Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade|access-date=April 5, 2019|archive-date=September 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927101457/https://rove.me/to/new-york/macys-thanksgiving-day-parade|url-status=live}}</ref> in ], ABC Dunkin' Donuts Thanksgiving Day Parade<ref>{{cite web|url=https://6abc.com/tag/6abc-thanksgiving-day-parade/|title=6ABC THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE|access-date=April 5, 2019|archive-date=October 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191013100115/https://6abc.com/tag/6abc-thanksgiving-day-parade/|url-status=live}}</ref> in ], America's Hometown Thanksgiving Parade in ], McDonald's ], and Bayou Classic Thanksgiving Parade<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.neworleans.com/event/bayou-classic/3224/|title=Bayou Classic|access-date=April 5, 2019|archive-date=September 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180915132952/https://www.neworleans.com/event/bayou-classic/3224/|url-status=live}}</ref> in ]. | |||
What Americans call the "]" generally begins with Thanksgiving.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbcamerica.com/mind-the-gap/2013/11/04/brits-guide-holiday-season/|title=A Brit's Guide to the Holiday Season|author=Hargis, Toni|date=November 4, 2013|publisher=BBC America|access-date=November 10, 2015|archive-date=November 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118145944/http://www.bbcamerica.com/mind-the-gap/2013/11/04/brits-guide-holiday-season/|url-status=live}}</ref> The first day after Thanksgiving Day—]—marks the start of the Christmas shopping season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2017/11/thanksgiving-day-celebrate-171115142125961.html|title=When is Thanksgiving Day and why is it celebrated|date=22 Nov 2018|access-date=April 5, 2019|archive-date=March 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328162637/https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2017/11/thanksgiving-day-celebrate-171115142125961.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
Thanksgiving is usually celebrated with a family meal. Beginning in the 2010s, a new tradition has emerged to also celebrate Thanksgiving with a meal with friends, as a separate event on a different day or an alternate event on Thanksgiving Day. This is referred to as ].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fetters |first=Ashley |date=2018-11-15 |title=How Friendsgiving Took Over Millennial Culture |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2018/11/millennials-friendsgiving-history/575941/ |access-date=2022-05-04 |website=The Atlantic |language=en |archive-date=May 4, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504083741/https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2018/11/millennials-friendsgiving-history/575941/ |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
==Similarly named holidays== | |||
{{see also|List of harvest festivals}} | |||
===Grenada=== | |||
In the West Indian island of ], in the ], there is a national holiday known as Thanksgiving Day which is celebrated on October 25. Even though it bears the same name, and is celebrated at roughly the same time as the American and Canadian versions of Thanksgiving, this holiday is unrelated to either of those celebrations. Instead, the holiday marks the anniversary of the U.S.-led ] in 1983, in response to the ] and execution of the socialist Grenadian Prime Minister ]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gov.gd/holiday_events.html |title=Public Holidays & Events 2017 |website=GOV.gd |date=2016-10-12 |access-date=2017-04-17 |archive-date=June 23, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120623100105/http://www.gov.gd/holiday_events.html |url-status=live }}</ref> by a military government from within his own party. | |||
===Japan=== | |||
{{main|Labor Thanksgiving Day}} | |||
{{nihongo|Labor Thanksgiving Day|勤労感謝の日|Kinrō Kansha no Hi}} is a ]. It takes place annually on November 23. The law establishing the holiday, which was adopted during the ] after World War II, cites it as an occasion for commemorating ] and production and giving each other thanks. It has roots in the ancient ] harvest ceremony ({{nihongo|'']''|新嘗祭|}}). | |||
==See also== | |||
{{Portal|Holidays}} | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
== References== | |||
{{Reflist}} | |||
==Sources== | |||
* {{cite book | last =Baker | first =James W. | title =Thanksgiving: The Biography of an American Holiday | publisher =UPNE | year =2009 | url =https://books.google.com/books?id=yoMhqK9Z5HwC | isbn =978-1-58465-801-6 |ref={{sfnref|Baker|2009a}}}} | |||
* {{cite web|last=Bangs|first=Jeremy D|title=Thanksgiving on the Net: Roast Bull with Cranberry Sauce|url=http://www.sail1620.org/history/articles/93-roast-bull-cranberry-sauce.html|publisher=Society of Mayflower Descendants in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania|work=Sail 1620|access-date=October 23, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102223739/http://www.sail1620.org/history/articles/93-roast-bull-cranberry-sauce.html|archive-date=November 2, 2012|df=mdy-all}} | |||
* {{cite book | last =Colman | first =Penny | title =Thanksgiving: The True Story | publisher =Macmillan | year =2008 | page =149 | url =https://books.google.com/books?id=mrEqiLORTFoC | isbn =978-0805082296 }} | |||
* {{cite web|last=Dow|first=Judy|title=Deconstructing the Myths of "The First Thanksgiving"|url=http://www.oyate.org/resources/shortthanks.html|publisher=Oyate.org|access-date=November 29, 2010|author2=Slapin, Beverly|date=June 12, 2006|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101129070235/http://www.oyate.org/resources/shortthanks.html|archive-date=November 29, 2010|df=mdy-all}} | |||
* {{cite book | last =Hillstrom | first =Laurie Collier | title =The Thanksgiving book: a companion to the holiday covering its history, lore, ... | publisher =Omnigraphics | year =2007 | page =328 | url =https://books.google.com/books?id=LpAXAQAAMAAJ | isbn =978-0780804036 }} | |||
* {{cite book | last =Hodgson | first =Godfrey | |||
| title =A Great and Godly Adventure; The Pilgrims and the Myth of the First Thanksgiving | publisher =Public Affairs | year =2006 | location =New York | |||
| page = | url =https://archive.org/details/greatgodlyadvent00hodg | url-access =registration | isbn = 978-1586483739}} | |||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
Line 92: | Line 186: | ||
| to the relevant category at the Open Directory Project (dmoz.org) | | | to the relevant category at the Open Directory Project (dmoz.org) | | ||
| and link back to that category using the {{dmoz}} template. | | | and link back to that category using the {{dmoz}} template. | | ||
======================= {{No more links}} =============================--> | |||
{{Wikiquote}} | |||
{{Commons}} | |||
* {{Dmoz|Society/Holidays/Thanksgiving|Thanksgiving}} | |||
==={{No more links}}=========--> | |||
{{Sister project links|d=Q13959|n=no|voy=no|b=no|mw=no|species=no|m=no|v=no}} | |||
{{Thanksgiving}} | {{Thanksgiving}} | ||
{{Parties}} | |||
{{Authority control}} | |||
] | ] | ||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] | |||
] |
Latest revision as of 04:32, 17 December 2024
Holiday in various countries This article is about the holiday in general. For the specific national holidays, see Thanksgiving (Canada) and Thanksgiving (United States). For other uses, see Thanksgiving (disambiguation). "Turkey Day" redirects here. For the Turkish Republic Day, see Republic Day (Turkey).
Thanksgiving Day | |
---|---|
A typical Thanksgiving dinner in the United States | |
Observed by | Countries
Sub-national entities
|
Type | National, cultural |
Date |
|
2024 date | October 6, 2024 (Germany); October 14, 2024 (Canada); |
2025 date | October 5, 2025 (Germany); October 13, 2025 (Canada); |
Thanksgiving is a national holiday celebrated on various dates in October and November in the United States, Canada, Saint Lucia, Liberia, and unofficially in countries like Brazil and Germany. It is also observed in the Australian territory of Norfolk Island. It began as a day of giving thanks for the blessings of the harvest and of the preceding year. Various similarly named harvest festival holidays occur throughout the world during autumn. Although Thanksgiving has historical roots in religious and cultural traditions, it has long been celebrated as a secular holiday as well.
History
Prayers of thanks and special thanksgiving ceremonies are common among most religions after harvests and at other times of the year. The Thanksgiving holiday's history in North America is rooted in English traditions dating from the Protestant Reformation. It also has aspects of a harvest festival, even though the harvest in New England occurs well before the late-November date on which the modern Thanksgiving holiday is celebrated.
In the English tradition, days of thanksgiving and special thanksgiving religious services became important during the English Reformation in the reign of Henry VIII. Before 1536 there were 95 Church holidays, plus every Sunday, when people were required to attend church and forego work. Though the 1536 reforms in the Church of England reduced the number of holidays in the liturgical calendar to 27, the Puritan party in the Anglican Church wished to eliminate all Church holidays apart from the weekly Lord's Day, including the evangelical feasts of Christmas and Easter (cf. Puritan Sabbatarianism). The holidays were to be replaced by specially called Days of Fasting and Days of Thanksgiving, in response to events that the Puritans viewed as acts of special providence. Unexpected disasters or threats of judgement from on high called for Days of Fasting.
Special blessings, viewed as coming from God, called for Days of Thanksgiving, which were observed through Christian church services and other gatherings. For example, Days of Thanksgiving were called following the victory over the Spanish Armada in 1588 and following the deliverance of Queen Anne in 1605. An unusual annual Day of Thanksgiving began in 1606 following the failure of the Gunpowder Plot in 1605 and developed into Guy Fawkes Day on November 5. Days of Fasting were called on account of plagues in 1604 and 1622, drought in 1611, and floods in 1613. Annual Thanksgiving prayers were dictated by the charter of English settlers upon their safe landing in America in 1619 at Berkeley Hundred in Virginia.
In Canada
Main article: Thanksgiving (Canada)According to some historians, the first celebration of Thanksgiving in North America occurred during the 1578 voyage of Martin Frobisher from England in search of the Northwest Passage. Other researchers, however, state that "there is no compelling narrative of the origins of the Canadian Thanksgiving day."
Antecedents for Canadian Thanksgiving are also sometimes traced to the French settlers who came to New France in the 17th century, who celebrated their successful harvests. The French settlers in the area typically had feasts at the end of the harvest season. They continued throughout the winter season, even sharing food with the indigenous peoples of the area.
As settlers arrived in Nova Scotia from New England after 1700, late autumn Thanksgiving celebrations became commonplace. New immigrants into the country—such as the Irish, Scottish, and Germans—also added their own traditions to the harvest celebrations. Most of the U.S. aspects of Thanksgiving (such as the turkey) were incorporated when United Empire Loyalists began to flee from the United States during and after the American Revolution and settled in Canada.
In 1859, the government of the provinces of Canada declared a Thanksgiving Day in which "all Canadians to spend the holiday in 'public and solemn' recognition of God's mercies." On 9 October 1879, Canada's Governor General, the Marquis of Lorne, declared November 6 as "a day of General Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed." The Canadian Parliament on 31 January 1957 applied the same language in its proclamation for the modern holiday: "A Day of General Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed—to be observed on the second Monday in October."
In the United States
Main article: Thanksgiving (United States)An annual thanksgiving holiday tradition in North American colonies is documented for the first time in 1619, in what is now called the Commonwealth of Virginia. Thirty-eight English settlers aboard the ship Margaret arrived by way of the James River at Berkeley Hundred in Charles City County, Virginia on December 4, 1619. The landing was immediately followed by a religious celebration, specifically dictated by the group's charter from the London Company. The charter declared, "that the day of our ships arrival at the place assigned for plantation in the land of Virginia shall be yearly and perpetually kept holy as a day of thanksgiving to Almighty God." Since the mid 20th century, the original celebration has been commemorated there annually at present-day Berkeley Plantation, ancestral home of the Harrison family of Virginia.
The more familiar Thanksgiving precedent accompanied by feasting is traced to the Pilgrims and Puritans who emigrated from England in the 1620s and 1630s. They brought their previous tradition of Days of Fasting and Days of Thanksgiving with them to New England. The 1621 Plymouth, Massachusetts thanksgiving was prompted by a good harvest. The Pilgrims celebrated this with the Wampanoags, a tribe of Native Americans who, along with the last surviving Patuxet, had helped them get through the previous winter by giving them food in that time of scarcity, in exchange for an alliance and protection against the rival Narragansett tribe.
Several days of Thanksgiving were held in early New England history that have been identified as the "First Thanksgiving", including Pilgrim holidays in Plymouth in 1621 and 1623, and a Puritan holiday in Boston in 1631. Now called 3 Oktoberfeest, Leiden's autumn thanksgiving celebration in 1617 was the occasion for sectarian disturbance that appears to have accelerated the pilgrims' plans to emigrate to America.
Later in New England, religious thanksgiving services were declared by civil leaders such as Governor Bradford, who planned the Plymouth colony's thanksgiving celebration and feast in 1623. The practice of holding an annual thanksgiving harvest festival did not become a regular affair in New England until the late 1660s.
Thanksgiving proclamations were made mostly by church leaders in New England up until 1682, and then by both state and church leaders until after the American Revolution. During the revolutionary period, political influences affected the issuance of Thanksgiving proclamations. Various proclamations were made by royal governors, and conversely by patriot leaders, such as John Hancock, General George Washington, and the Continental Congress, each giving thanks to God for events favorable to their causes. As the first President of the United States, George Washington proclaimed the first nationwide thanksgiving celebration in America marking November 26, 1789, "as a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favours of Almighty God", and calling on Americans to "unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions."
Debate over first celebrations
See also: Myth of the First ThanksgivingDevotees in Florida, New England, Texas and Virginia have maintained contradictory claims to having held the first Thanksgiving celebration in what became the United States. The question is complicated by the concept of Thanksgiving as either a holiday celebration or a religious service. James Baker maintains, "The American holiday's true origin was the New England Calvinist Thanksgiving. Never coupled with a Sabbath meeting, the Puritan observances were special days set aside during the week for thanksgiving and praise in response to God's providence." Baker calls the debate a "tempest in a beanpot" and "marvelous nonsense" based on regional claims.
In 1963, President John F. Kennedy acknowledged both the Virginia and Massachusetts claims. Kennedy issued Proclamation 3560 on November 5, 1963, stating, "Over three centuries ago, our forefathers in Virginia and in Massachusetts, far from home in a lonely wilderness, set aside a time of thanksgiving. On the appointed day, they gave reverent thanks for their safety, for the health of their children, for the fertility of their fields, for the love which bound them together, and for the faith which united them with their God."
Other claims include an earlier religious service by Spanish explorers at San Elizario in Texas in 1598. Historians Robyn Gioia and Michael Gannon of the University of Florida argue that the earliest Thanksgiving service in what is now the United States was celebrated by the Spanish community on September 8, 1565, in current Saint Augustine, Florida. The thanksgiving at St. Augustine was celebrated 56 years before the Puritan Pilgrim thanksgiving at Plymouth Plantation (Massachusetts), but it did not become the origin of a national annual tradition.
Fixing a date
Canada
The earlier Thanksgiving celebrations in Canada has been attributed to the earlier onset of winter in the North, thus ending the harvest season earlier. Thanksgiving in Canada did not have a fixed date until the late 19th century. Prior to Canadian Confederation, many of the individual colonial governors of the Canadian provinces had declared their own days of Thanksgiving. The first official Canadian Thanksgiving occurred on April 15, 1872, when the nation was celebrating the Prince of Wales' recovery from a serious illness.
By the end of the 19th century, Thanksgiving Day was normally celebrated on November 6 (see also Guy Fawkes Night discussed above). In the late 19th century, the militia staged "sham battles" for public entertainment on Thanksgiving Day. The militia agitated for an earlier date for the holiday, so they could use the warmer weather to draw bigger crowds. However, when the First World War ended, the Armistice Day holiday was usually held during the same week. To prevent the two holidays from clashing with one another, in 1957 the Canadian Parliament proclaimed Thanksgiving to be observed on its present date on the second Monday of October.
United States
Thanksgiving in the United States has been observed on differing dates. From the time of the Founding Fathers until Abraham Lincoln made it a national holiday in 1863, the date of observance varied from state to state. The final Thursday in November had become the customary date in most U.S. states by the beginning of the 19th century, coinciding with, and eventually superseding the holiday of Evacuation Day (commemorating the day the British exited the United States after the Revolutionary War). Influenced by New Englander Sarah Josepha Hale, who wrote letters to politicians for approximately 40 years advocating an official holiday, Lincoln set national Thanksgiving by proclamation for the final Thursday in November in celebration of the bounties that had continued to fall on the Union and for the military successes in the war, also calling on the American people, "with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience ... fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty hand to heal the wounds of the nation...." Because of the ongoing Civil War, a nationwide Thanksgiving celebration was not realized until Reconstruction in the 1870s.
On October 31, 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a presidential proclamation changing the holiday to the next to last Thursday in November in an effort to boost the economy. The earlier date created an extra seven days for Christmas shopping since at that time retailers never began promoting the Christmas season until after Thanksgiving. But making the proclamation so close to the change wreaked havoc on the holiday schedules of many people, schools, and businesses, and most Americans were not in favor of the change. Some of those who opposed the change dubbed the holiday "Franksgiving" that year. Some state governors went along with the change while others stuck with the original November 30 date for the holiday, and three states — Colorado, Mississippi, and Texas — observed both dates. The double Thanksgiving continued for two more years, and then on December 26, 1941, Roosevelt signed a joint resolution of Congress changing the official national Thanksgiving Day to the fourth Thursday in November starting in 1942 (there are usually four but sometimes five Thursdays in November, depending on the year).
Since 1971, when the American Uniform Monday Holiday Act took effect, the American observance of Columbus Day has coincided with the Canadian observance of Thanksgiving.
Observance
Australia
In the Australian external territory of Norfolk Island, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the last Wednesday of November, similar to the pre–World War II American observance on the last Thursday of the month. Due to the time difference of between 14 and 17 hours, this means the Norfolk Island observance is two days before or five days after the United States' observance. The holiday was brought to the island by visiting American whaling ships.
Brazil
In Brazil, National Thanksgiving Day (Portuguese: Dia de Ação de Graças) was instituted by President Gaspar Dutra, through Law 781 of August 17, 1949, at the suggestion of Ambassador Joaquim Nabuco, who was enthusiastic about the commemorations he saw in 1909 in St. Patrick's Cathedral as an ambassador in Washington. In 1966, Law 5110 established that the Thanksgiving celebration would take place on the fourth Thursday of November. This date is celebrated by many families of American origin, by some Protestant Christian denominations, such as the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Brazil (which is of American origin), the Presbyterian Church, the Baptist Church, the Methodist Church, and the Church of the Nazarene, and Methodist denominational universities. The day is also celebrated by evangelical churches such as the Foursquare Gospel Church in Brazil.
Canada
Main article: Thanksgiving (Canada)Thanksgiving (French: l'Action de grâce), occurring on the second Monday in October, is an annual Canadian holiday to give thanks at the close of the harvest season. Although the original act of Parliament references God and the holiday is celebrated in churches, the holiday is mostly celebrated in a secular manner. Thanksgiving is a statutory holiday in all provinces in Canada, except for New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. While businesses may remain open in these provinces, the holiday is nonetheless recognized and celebrated regardless of its status.
Germany
The Harvest Thanksgiving Festival, Erntedankfest, is a popular Christian festival in some German municipalities on the first Sunday of October. The festival has a significant religious component, and many churches are decorated with autumn crops. In some places, there are religious processions or parades.
Liberia
In the West African country of Liberia, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the first Thursday of November. In 1883, the Legislature of Liberia enacted a statute declaring this day as a national holiday. Thanksgiving is celebrated in the country in large part due to the nation's founding as a colony of the American Colonization Society in 1821 by former slaves and free people of color from the United States. However, the Liberian celebration of the holiday is notably different from the American celebration. While some Liberian families chose to celebrate with a feast or cook out, it is not considered a staple of the holiday and there is no specific food heavily associated with Thanksgiving. Some chose to celebrate the holiday by attending religious ceremonies, while others take it as a day for relaxation. Others view the holiday as an imposition from the American settlers of the country. In the years following the second civil war, some Liberians have taken the holiday as a time to be thankful for this new period peace and relative stability.
Netherlands
Many of the Pilgrims who migrated to the Plymouth Plantation resided in Leiden from 1609 to 1620, and had recorded their births, marriages, and deaths at the Pieterskerk. In commemoration, a non-denominational Thanksgiving Day service is held each year on the morning of the American Thanksgiving Day in the Pieterskerk, a Gothic church in Leiden, noting the hospitality the Pilgrims received in Leiden on their way to the New World.
Thanksgiving is observed by orthodox Protestant churches in the Netherlands on the first Wednesday in November (Dankdag). It is not a public holiday. Those who observe the day either go to church in the evening or take the day off and go to church in the morning (and occasionally afternoon) too.
Philippines
An American colony from 1901 to 1946, the Philippines observed Thanksgiving as a special public holiday on the same day as the Americans. During the Japanese occupation during World War II, both the Americans and Filipinos celebrated Thanksgiving in secret. After Japanese withdrawal in 1945, the tradition continued until 1969. In 1973, President Ferdinand Marcos issued Proclamation 1180, changing the date to September 21, altering the holiday as a celebration of the imposition of martial law a year prior. This continued until Marcos' ouster in 1986. Since the Fifth Republic, with no proclamations declaring the observance of thanksgiving, it is no longer officially celebrated in the country as a public holiday.
Saint Lucia
The nation of Saint Lucia celebrates Thanksgiving on the first Monday in October.
United Kingdom
The Harvest Festival of Thanksgiving does not have an official date in the United Kingdom; however, it is traditionally held on or near the Sunday of the harvest moon that occurs closest to the autumnal equinox. Harvest Thanksgiving in Britain also has pre-Christian roots when the Saxons would offer the first sheaf of barley, oats, or wheat to fertility gods. When the harvest was finally collected, communities would come together for a harvest supper. When Christianity arrived in Britain many traditions remained, and today the Harvest Festival is marked by churches and schools in late September/early October (same as Canada) with singing, praying and decorating with baskets of food and fruit to celebrate a successful harvest and to give thanks. Collections of food are usually held which are then given to local charities which help the homeless and those in need.
United States
Main article: Thanksgiving (United States)In the United States, Thanksgiving is an annual tradition that was federally formalized through an 1863 presidential proclamation by Abraham Lincoln, but was implemented as state legislation since the nation's founding.
In 1941, federal legislation by the United States Congress formalized Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday in November.
The holiday traditionally has been a celebration of the blessings of the year, including the harvest. On Thanksgiving Day, it is common for Americans to share a family meal, attend church services, and view special sporting events.
Thanksgiving is celebrated in public places with parades such as Macy's Thanksgiving Parade in New York City, ABC Dunkin' Donuts Thanksgiving Day Parade in Philadelphia, America's Hometown Thanksgiving Parade in Plymouth, Massachusetts, McDonald's Thanksgiving Parade in Chicago, and Bayou Classic Thanksgiving Parade in New Orleans.
What Americans call the "Holiday Season" generally begins with Thanksgiving. The first day after Thanksgiving Day—Black Friday—marks the start of the Christmas shopping season.
Thanksgiving is usually celebrated with a family meal. Beginning in the 2010s, a new tradition has emerged to also celebrate Thanksgiving with a meal with friends, as a separate event on a different day or an alternate event on Thanksgiving Day. This is referred to as Friendsgiving.
Similarly named holidays
See also: List of harvest festivalsGrenada
In the West Indian island of Grenada, in the Caribbean, there is a national holiday known as Thanksgiving Day which is celebrated on October 25. Even though it bears the same name, and is celebrated at roughly the same time as the American and Canadian versions of Thanksgiving, this holiday is unrelated to either of those celebrations. Instead, the holiday marks the anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of the island in 1983, in response to the deposition and execution of the socialist Grenadian Prime Minister Maurice Bishop by a military government from within his own party.
Japan
Main article: Labor Thanksgiving DayLabor Thanksgiving Day (勤労感謝の日, Kinrō Kansha no Hi) is a national holiday in Japan. It takes place annually on November 23. The law establishing the holiday, which was adopted during the American occupation after World War II, cites it as an occasion for commemorating labor and production and giving each other thanks. It has roots in the ancient Shinto harvest ceremony (Niiname-sai (新嘗祭)).
See also
References
- ^ Hodgson 2006, pp. 156–59.
- Baker 2009a, Chapter 1, esp. pp. 12–15.
- ^ Forbes, Bruce David (October 27, 2015). America's Favorite Holidays: Candid Histories. University of California Press. p. 155. ISBN 978-0-520-28472-2.
- ^ Baker 2009a, pp. 1–14.
- ^ Dowdy, Clifford (1957). The Great Plantation. Rinehart and Co. pp. 29–37.
- Mills, David; Neilson Bonikowsky, Laura; McIntosh, Andrew. "Thanksgiving in Canada". Canadian Encyclopedia. Historica Canada. Archived from the original on October 12, 2015. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
- Kaufman, Jason Andrew (2009). The Origins of Canadian & American Political Differences. Harvard University Press. p. 29. ISBN 978-0674031364. Archived from the original on January 17, 2023. Retrieved November 17, 2015.
- ^ Solski, Ruth "Canada's Traditions and Celebrations" McGill-Queen's Press,ISBN 1550356941 p. 12
- ^ Duncan, Dorothy (September 16, 2006). Canadians at Table: Food, Fellowship, and Folklore: A Culinary History of Canada. Dundurn. ISBN 978-1-77070-235-6.
- Kelch, Kalie (August 27, 2013). Grab Your Boarding Pass. Review & Herald Publishing Association. ISBN 978-0-8127-5654-8.
- "The First Thanksgiving". National Geographic. Archived from the original on March 7, 2021. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
- Woodlief, H. Graham. "History of the First Thanksgiving". Berkeley Plantation. Archived from the original on November 23, 2021. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
- Julian S, The Boston Globe (November 20, 1996). "HISTORY IS SERVED". chicagotribune.com. Archived from the original on August 26, 2017. Retrieved November 30, 2019.
- ^ Baker 2009a, Chapter 1.
- Alvin J. Schmidt (2004). How Christianity Changed the World. Zondervan. ISBN 9780310264491. Archived from the original on January 17, 2023. Retrieved January 30, 2012.
- Bunker, Nick (2010). Making Haste From Babylon: the Mayflower Pilgrims and Their World. New York: Vintage Books. pp. 220–21. ISBN 9780307386267.
- Bradford, Of Plymouth Plantation, 1620–1647, pp. 120–21.
- Bradford, History of Plymouth Plantation, pp. 135–42.
- The fast and thanksgiving days of New England by William DeLoss Love, Houghton, Mifflin and Co., Cambridge, 1895
- Kaufman, Jason Andrew (2009). The origins of Canadian and American political differences. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. p. 28. ISBN 978-0674031364.
- Klos, Stanley. "Thanksgiving Day Proclamations". Presidential Thanksgiving Proclamations. Historic.us. Archived from the original on October 17, 2013. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
- Hodgson 2006, pp. 159–66.
- Hodgson 2006, p. 167.
- "Thanksgiving Proclamation, 3 October 1789". George Washington Papers. Library of Congress. Archived from the original on December 8, 2013. Retrieved January 26, 2008.
- "John F. Kennedy 35th President, Thanksgiving Proclamation, Nov. 5, 1963". The American Presidency Project. Archived from the original on November 25, 2016. Retrieved November 24, 2016.
- C. Michael Hogan (2011). Thanksgiving. Eds. Cutler Cleveland & Peter Saundry. Encyclopedia of Earth. National Council for Science and the Environment. Washington DC Archived October 25, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
- Wilson, Craig (November 21, 2007). "Florida teacher chips away at Plymouth Rock Thanksgiving myth". Usatoday.com. Archived from the original on November 26, 2011. Retrieved September 5, 2011.
- Davis, Kenneth C. (November 25, 2008). "A French Connection". The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 14, 2013. Retrieved September 5, 2011.
- ^ Kaufman, Jason Andrew (2009). "The origins of Canadian and American political differences" Harvard University Press, ISBN 0674031369 p. 29
- Wood, James "Militia Myths: Ideas of the Canadian Citizen Soldier, 1896-1921." UBC Press, 2010 ISBN 978-0-7748-1765-3 p.30
- "Evacuation Day: New York's Former November Holiday". November 24, 2014. Archived from the original on August 9, 2018. Retrieved April 5, 2019.
- "Thanksgiving Proclamation by Abraham Lincoln". www.abrahamlincolnonline.org. Archived from the original on October 20, 2018. Retrieved October 30, 2018.
- "31 Oct 1939, Page 1 - Green Bay Press-Gazette at Newspapers.com". Newspapers.com. Archived from the original on August 7, 2020. Retrieved November 30, 2019.
- Ronald G. Shafer (November 24, 2021). "Franklin Roosevelt moved Thanksgiving up a week to goose the economy. Chaos ensued". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on November 24, 2021. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
- "Congress Establishes Thanksgiving". National Archives. August 15, 2016. Archived from the original on November 8, 2018. Retrieved November 3, 2018.
- "LBJ Signs Bill to Set Up Five 3-Day Holidays". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Associated Press. June 29, 1968. Archived from the original on October 11, 2021. Retrieved December 6, 2011. The bill became the Uniform Monday Holiday Act.
- "Text of the 1968 Uniform Monday Holiday Act". US Government Archives (www.archives.gov). Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
- "Norfolk Island Information and Services". Archived from the original on September 20, 2010.
- "Dia Nacional de Ações de Graças". Ministério da Justiça e Segurança Pública (in Brazilian Portuguese). Archived from the original on April 1, 2019. Retrieved November 29, 2019.
- "Statutory Holidays". WorkRights.ca. Archived from the original on December 18, 2010. Retrieved December 8, 2010.
- "Thanksgiving – is it a Statutory Holiday?". Government of Nova Scotia. Archived from the original on November 23, 2011. Retrieved October 13, 2008.
- "Statutes, Chapter E-6.2" (PDF). Government of Prince Edward Island. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 31, 2008. Retrieved October 13, 2008.
- "RSNL1990 Chapter L-2 – Labour Standards Act". Assembly of Newfoundland. Archived from the original on December 21, 2008. Retrieved October 13, 2008.
- "Statutory Holidays" (PDF). Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, Canada. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 29, 2008.
- Hamel, Katharina. "Erntedankfest 2024: Warum feiern wir Erntedank? | Sonntags". www.sonntagsblatt.de (in German). Retrieved November 29, 2024.
- "Vice President Boakai Joins Catholic Community in Bomi to Celebrate Thanksgiving Day". The Executive Mansion. Republic of Liberia. November 5, 2010. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved October 5, 2014.
- "Ellen declares Thursday, 2 November as National Thanksgiving Day". The New Dawn Liberia. November 1, 2017. Archived from the original on January 28, 2022. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
- Hallett, Vicky (November 24, 2021). "Former slaves brought Thanksgiving to Liberia — and rebooted it". NPR. Archived from the original on November 24, 2023. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
- "Thanksgiving In Liberia". NPR. November 28, 2013. Archived from the original on December 3, 2021. Retrieved December 2, 2021.
- "Dutch town". The World (radio program). Archived from the original on March 22, 2009. Retrieved November 28, 2008.
- "Thanksgiving in Philippines: First Celebration of the American Holiday in Eastern Colony". The St. Joseph Weekly Gazette. December 27, 1898. p. 7. Archived from the original on September 24, 2022. Retrieved September 24, 2022.
- "Once upon a time, PH observed Thanksgiving Day every Sept. 21". www.pna.gov.ph.
- "Proclamation No. 1180". lawphil.net. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
- "Thanksgiving in the Philippines". Philippine Presidential Museum and Library. Archived from the original on November 29, 2014. Retrieved November 27, 2015.
- Ferrell, Nicholas A. (November 23, 2022). "History of Thanksgiving Proclamations in the Philippines". The New Leaf Journal.
- "Saint Lucia's List of Holidays for the Year 2015" (PDF). Stluciachamber.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 14, 2016. Retrieved April 17, 2017.
- "Harvest Festival UK". Crewsnest.vispa.com. Archived from the original on January 28, 2020. Retrieved April 17, 2017.
- "Harvest Festival". resources.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk. Archived from the original on June 23, 2015. Retrieved June 18, 2015 – via projectbritain.com.
- "Thanksgiving Day". Encyclopædia Britannica. Archived from the original on November 17, 2010. Retrieved November 25, 2011.
- Counihan, Carole (October 18, 2013). Food in the USA: A Reader. Routledge. p. 5. ISBN 978-1-135-32359-2.
- "Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade". Archived from the original on September 27, 2020. Retrieved April 5, 2019.
- "6ABC THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE". Archived from the original on October 13, 2019. Retrieved April 5, 2019.
- "Bayou Classic". Archived from the original on September 15, 2018. Retrieved April 5, 2019.
- Hargis, Toni (November 4, 2013). "A Brit's Guide to the Holiday Season". BBC America. Archived from the original on November 18, 2015. Retrieved November 10, 2015.
- "When is Thanksgiving Day and why is it celebrated". November 22, 2018. Archived from the original on March 28, 2019. Retrieved April 5, 2019.
- Fetters, Ashley (November 15, 2018). "How Friendsgiving Took Over Millennial Culture". The Atlantic. Archived from the original on May 4, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2022.
- "Public Holidays & Events 2017". GOV.gd. October 12, 2016. Archived from the original on June 23, 2012. Retrieved April 17, 2017.
Sources
- Baker, James W. (2009). Thanksgiving: The Biography of an American Holiday. UPNE. ISBN 978-1-58465-801-6.
- Bangs, Jeremy D. "Thanksgiving on the Net: Roast Bull with Cranberry Sauce". Sail 1620. Society of Mayflower Descendants in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Archived from the original on November 2, 2012. Retrieved October 23, 2012.
- Colman, Penny (2008). Thanksgiving: The True Story. Macmillan. p. 149. ISBN 978-0805082296.
- Dow, Judy; Slapin, Beverly (June 12, 2006). "Deconstructing the Myths of "The First Thanksgiving"". Oyate.org. Archived from the original on November 29, 2010. Retrieved November 29, 2010.
- Hillstrom, Laurie Collier (2007). The Thanksgiving book: a companion to the holiday covering its history, lore, ... Omnigraphics. p. 328. ISBN 978-0780804036.
- Hodgson, Godfrey (2006). A Great and Godly Adventure; The Pilgrims and the Myth of the First Thanksgiving. New York: Public Affairs. p. 212. ISBN 978-1586483739.
External links
Parties and festivals | |||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sorted by occasions, purposes or attributes | |||||||||||||||||
Types |
| ||||||||||||||||
Clothing |
| ||||||||||||||||
Equipment | |||||||||||||||||