THANKSGIVINGTHANKSGIVING

By: Julia Ruiz By: Julia Ruiz

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I.E.S La MarinaI.E.S La Marina

The History of Thanksgiving The History of Thanksgiving Most stories of Thanksgiving history start Most stories of Thanksgiving history start

with the harvest celebration of the with the harvest celebration of the pilgrims and the indians that took pilgrims and the indians that took place in the autumn of 1621. place in the autumn of 1621. Although they did have a three-day Although they did have a three-day feast in celebration of a good harvest, feast in celebration of a good harvest, and the local indians did participate, and the local indians did participate, this "first Thanksgiving" was not a this "first Thanksgiving" was not a holiday, simply a gathering. There is holiday, simply a gathering. There is little evidence that this feast of thanks little evidence that this feast of thanks led directly to our modern led directly to our modern Thanksgiving Day holiday. Thanksgiving Day holiday. Thanksgiving can, however, be traced Thanksgiving can, however, be traced back to 1863 when Pres. Lincoln back to 1863 when Pres. Lincoln became the first president to proclaim became the first president to proclaim Thanksgiving Day. The holiday has Thanksgiving Day. The holiday has been a fixture of late November ever been a fixture of late November ever since. since.

Thanksgiving dinner Thanksgiving dinner

The centerpiece of contemporary The centerpiece of contemporary ThanksgivingThanksgiving in the in the UnitedUnited StatesStates, and , and CanadaCanada is a large meal, generally is a large meal, generally centered around a large roasted centered around a large roasted turkeyturkey. The majority . The majority of the dishes in the traditional American version of of the dishes in the traditional American version of Thanksgiving Dinner are made from Thanksgiving Dinner are made from foodsfoods nativenative toto thethe NewNew World World, according to tradition the Pilgrims , according to tradition the Pilgrims received these foods from the Native Americans. received these foods from the Native Americans. However, many of the classic traditions attributed to However, many of the classic traditions attributed to the first Thanksgiving are actually myths introduced the first Thanksgiving are actually myths introduced later.later.

A very similar dinner is often served on A very similar dinner is often served on ChristmasChristmas and and NewNew Year'sYear's DayDay..

A Thanksgiving Day dinner served to the A Thanksgiving Day dinner served to the CivilianCivilian ConservationConservation CorpsCorps in in 19351935 included: included: Pickles, green olives, celery, roast turkey, Pickles, green olives, celery, roast turkey, oyster stew, cranberry sauce, giblet gravy, oyster stew, cranberry sauce, giblet gravy, dressing, creamed asparagus tips, snowflake dressing, creamed asparagus tips, snowflake potatoes, baked carrots, hot rolls, fruit salad, potatoes, baked carrots, hot rolls, fruit salad, mince meat pie, fruit cake, candies, grapes, mince meat pie, fruit cake, candies, grapes, apples, French drip coffee, cigars and apples, French drip coffee, cigars and cigarettes cigarettes

Customs:Customs:

Normally a Thanksgiving dinner in the United States Normally a Thanksgiving dinner in the United States bears a good deal of resemblance to another feast bears a good deal of resemblance to another feast served at served at ChristmasChristmas: the centerpiece at both is most : the centerpiece at both is most often a turkey. However, the spirits of these occasions often a turkey. However, the spirits of these occasions are usually different: the family and friends present at are usually different: the family and friends present at a Thanksgiving table are not expected to give gifts to a Thanksgiving table are not expected to give gifts to each other, for example, and the point of the meal is each other, for example, and the point of the meal is to reflect upon and be thankful for the things that to reflect upon and be thankful for the things that have passed over the last year. While most hosts will have passed over the last year. While most hosts will say a short prayer before the start of the meal, this is say a short prayer before the start of the meal, this is not obligatory and there is no overt religious not obligatory and there is no overt religious significance to the holiday.significance to the holiday.