Thanksgiving Day History

Thanksgiving Day is focused on giving thanks for the blessings of the harvest and the preceding year. It is an observance that holds significant cultural and historical relevance for millions of Americans. The celebration often entails families gathering together to share a festive meal, traditionally including a roasted turkey and festive side dishes.

The origins of Thanksgiving Day date back to the early 17th century when English Pilgrims held the first feast in 1621 at Plymouth, Massachusetts, to express their gratitude to the Native American Wampanoag people who had helped them survive their first year in the New World. The tradition of giving thanks for a successful harvest had long been established in Europe; however, it was not until 1863 that President Abraham Lincoln declared the last Thursday of November as a national day of Thanksgiving to foster unity in a divided country during the Civil War. Since then, Thanksgiving Day has become an integral part of American culture.

Families across the nation gather for a festive meal, volunteer at local food drives, participate in charity events, or watch the much-anticipated Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, which has been an annual event since 1924. Thanksgiving is not just a day of indulgence in delicious food but rather an opportunity for Americans to express their gratitude, spend time with loved ones, and give back to their communities. Thanksgiving Day is observed on the fourth Thursday in November each year.

Top 10 Facts for Thanksgiving Day in 2026

• For the 2026 observance, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade celebrates a milestone century of tradition, marking 100 years since the inaugural procession first marched through New York City in 1924.
• The official date for the 2026 holiday falls on the latest possible day on the calendar, making it the most delayed Thanksgiving celebration since 2019.
• Thanksgiving is legally designated as a federal holiday in the United States, meaning non-essential government offices, post offices, and most banks remain closed across the country.
• The presidential tradition of 'pardoning' a Thanksgiving turkey dates back to the George H.W. Bush administration in 1989, though informal pardons occurred sporadically in earlier decades.
• Despite the common association with the 1621 harvest meal, the holiday was not declared a consistent national observance until President Abraham Lincoln’s 1863 proclamation during the Civil War.
• Culinary historians often note that the original 17th-century harvest feast likely did not include pumpkin pie, as the colonists lacked the ovens and refined flour necessary for crusts.
• The holiday serves as the traditional kickoff for the American holiday shopping season, historically triggering massive retail events on the following Friday and throughout the weekend.
• NFL football games on Thanksgiving are a long-standing cultural fixture, a tradition that began in 1934 to help boost attendance and television viewership for the league.
• An enduring pop culture staple of the season is the 1987 film Planes, Trains and Automobiles, which remains one of the most frequently referenced depictions of the chaotic travel associated with the holiday.
• Cranberries, green beans, and sweet potatoes consistently rank as the most popular side dishes consumed during the holiday meal, with consumption patterns remaining relatively stable across generations.

In the News and Trending in the US for Thanksgiving Day

Top things to do in the US for Thanksgiving Day

• Eat lots of traditional Thanksgiving food including turkey, cranberry sauce and sweet potatoes.
• Talk to relatives and friends by phone, email, or internet to remind them how thankful you are that they are all part of your life.
• Watch or attend a Parade. The largest are the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade in New York and the McDonalds Thanksgiving parade in Chicago.
• Watch or attend a football game. Besides NFL, there are many college and high school football games on this day.
• Go running or do some other form of exercise in the morning - so you won't feel so guilty indulging a grand Thanksgiving meal.