Out of all of the holidays that are widely
celebrated in America, Thanksgiving is one of my favorites. While holidays such
as Christmas are best spent having dinner with your family, Thanksgiving is the
only holiday which solely celebrates both eating and being with your family.
Thanksgiving is a holiday which is a
reminder that we should always
be thankful for what we have. Traditionally, it comes from a story about the original pilgrims who came to America. When seeking religious and political freedom in the Americas, the pilgrims met an unfamiliar land already inhabited by an unfamiliar group of people. After adapting to the new land, the Pilgrims learned the ways of the local natives and came up with a successful harvest. With the help of the Native Americans, the pilgrims had succeeded in creating a livable place for themselves and their families.
They shared the bounty of their harvest
with one another and with the Native Americans. The idea of sharing what one
has is very prominent in the celebration of Thanksgiving. The first years the
pilgrims endured in America were very harsh and the ones who survived were very
grateful. They showed their gratitude by sharing what they had collected
through the harvest season with the people who had helped make the harvest
season possible.
Thanksgiving was made an official American
holiday by Abraham Lincoln in the 1863. Since then, Thanksgiving has been
celebrated on the fourth Thursday of the month of November. The traditional
foods which are eaten on this day are the same ones which we believe the
pilgrims ate on their original Thanksgivings. Turkey, dressing, corn, potatoes,
yams, green beans, and bread are all features of a traditional Thanksgiving
meal. My personal favorite is the stuffing, of which I have included a recipe
below.
One of the most important questions asked
around Thanksgiving is “what are you thankful for?” Even if your family doesn’t
celebrate Thanksgiving, it is important to ask yourself this question. The next
time you sit down to have dinner with your family, ask yourself and your family
what you are all thankful for. Then dig in and enjoy the meal. That is the
meaning of Thanksgiving.
Jameson