The Importance of Thanksgiving

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