《英语国家概况》公开课

I. I. When is Thanksgiving DayWhen is Thanksgiving Day

II. Origin of Thanksgiving DayOrigin of Thanksgiving Day

III .Customs of Thanksgiving DayCustoms of Thanksgiving Day

Contents

When is When is Thanksgiving DayThanksgiving Day

When is Thanksgiving Day? Date of Thanksgiving Day varies every year and several countries celebrate it in different time of the year. Given here is information on Thanksgiving Day date in US and Canada for the past, present and coming years.

When is Thanksgiving Day in US?

Thanksgiving Day finds its roots in America. It is celebrated with lot of fervor and euphoria on the fourth Thursday in the month of November.

Thanksgiving Day in 2008 - November 27Thanksgiving Day in 2009 - November 19Thanksgiving Day in 2007 - November 22Thanksgiving Day in 2006 - November 23

When is Thanksgiving Day in Canada?

Thanksgiving Day in Canada is, however, celebrated on the second Monday in the month of October every year. Canada celebrates Thanksgiving Day a month earlier because autumn season starts early in Canada than in America.

Thanksgiving Day in 2008 - October 13Thanksgiving Day in 2009 - October 12Thanksgiving Day in 2007 - October 8Thanksgiving Day in 2006 - October 9

Origin of Origin of Thanksgiving DayThanksgiving Day

Journey of PilgrimsThe legendary pilgrims, crossed the Atlantic in the year 1620 in Mayflower-A 17th Century sailing vessel. About 102 people traveled for nearly two months with extreme difficulty.

Arrival in PlymouthThe pilgrims reached Plymouth rock on December 11th 1620, after a sea journey of 66 days. Though the original destination was somewhere in the northern part of Virginia, they could not reach the place owing to winds blowing them off course. Nearly46 pilgrims died due to extreme cold in winter. However, in the spring of 1621, Squanto, a native Indian taught the pilgrims to survive by growing food.

First Thanksgiving FeastIt is said that Pilgrims learnt to grow corn, beans and pumpkins from the Indians, which helped all of them survive . In the autumn of 1621, they held a grand celebration where 90 people were invited including Indians. The grand feast was organized to thank god for his favors. This communal dinner is popularly known as “The first thanksgiving feast”. There is however, no evidence to prove if the dinner actually took place.

While some historians believe pilgrims were quite religious so, their thanksgiving would've included a day of fasting and praying, others say that the Thanksgiving dinner did take place.

Customs of Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Day is a communal celebration marked as a sense of gratitude people feel for all the good things in life. This is done by offering prayers, gifting your near and dear ones. The fourth Thursday in the month of November is marked for the yearly celebration. The tradition of Thanksgiving continues till date in the form of ：

Family Reunion and Feasting

Tradition of Turkey

Parades

Football Games

Family Reunion and Feasting

Family feast is an important tradition during Thanksgiving. The entire family sits at the table during dinner and offer prayer to the Lord Almighty for his continuous grace. It is also a time for relatives living in different places to come together and celebrate.

Tradition of Turkey

The traditional stuffed turkey adorns every dinner table during the feast. Pumpkin pie, Cranberry sauce, Corns are some of the dishes cooked everywhere to mark the day. Though historians don't have an evidence to prove that turkey was eaten during the first Thanksgiving dinner, but the thanksgiving celebration will be incomplete without it.

Pumpkin Corn

Cranberry Beans

Parades

The traditional Thanksgiving parade probably started with President Lincoln proclaiming it an official day. The full- dress parade is a way to display the country's military strength and discipline. The main aim of such parades is to lift the spirits of the spectators, provide them with wholesome entertainment. In the present day, parades are accompanied with musical shows and celebrities.

Football Games

Watching NFL football during Thanksgiving is a popular tradition. The traditional game between the Detroit Lions and the Green Bay Packers continues. One of the most memorable games having been played on this day.

Exercise• 1. From which city and country did the Pilgrims leave for the New World?

___________________________________________

• 2. From which continent did they leave ? _________________________________

• 3. When did the Pilgrims set sail? ____________________________________

• 4. Which is the name of the ship in which they sailed? _____________________________________

• 5. In which direction did the Pilgrims sail: northeast, northwest, southwest, or southeast? ___________________________________

• 6. Which ocean did the Pilgrims cross? ________________________________________

• 7. To which continent did they sail? ________________________________________

• 8. When did the Pilgrims land on this continent? ________________________________________

• 9. How long did their voyage take: 5 days, 30 days, 66 days, or 94 days? _______________________________

• 10. The Pilgrims first landed on Cape Cod (in what is now Massachusetts) and then sailed to a nearby area. What is the name of the stony landmark where they eventually landed? ____________________________________________

Assignment

Please write a article with the topic "What should you give thanks to?"

Thank you for you attention!

Turkey and First Thanksgiving FeastThere is no evidence to prove if the customary turkey was a part of the initial feast. According to the first hand account written by the leader of the colony, the food included, ducks, geese, venison, fish, berries etc.

Pumpkin and Thanksgiving FeastPumpkin pie, a modern staple adorning every dinner table, is unlikely to have been a part of the first thanksgiving feast. Pilgrims , however, did have boiled pumpkin. Diminishing supply of flour led to the absence of any kind of bread.

The feast continued for three days and was eaten outside due to lack of space. It was not repeated till 1623, which again witnessed a severe drought. Governor Bradford proclaimed another day of thanksgiving in the year 1676. October of 1777 witnessed a time when all the 13 colonies joined in a communal celebration. It also marked the victory over the British.

After a number of events and changes, President Lincoln proclaimed last Thursday in November of thanksgiving in the year 1863. This was due to the continuous efforts of Sarah Josepha Hale, a magazine editor. She wrote a number of articles for the cause.

清教徒在当地购买了一艘名为 Speedwell 的木船 ,但是 1620 年 8 月 15 日从南安普顿出发后， Speedwell不堪海上长途航行，两次出现严重漏水问题，不得不返航，先后在达特茅斯（ Dartmouth ）和普利茅斯停留。最后，所有人员都挤到五月花上，于 9 月 16 日正式从普利茅斯启航，而这次的人数只有 102 人。其中， 37 人来自荷兰。（均为儒略历 Julian calendar ）

William Bradford