thanksgiving day in usa. Thanksgiving Day: the history of the holiday, its traditions and symbols A holiday associated with the first settlers

How many holidays are there in the world? This question is almost impossible to answer. And not because there are a lot of them, but because in every country they celebrate, in addition to traditional ones (for example, Christmas, New Year, ) and others, national. Some are quite young - appeared in the 20th century. Others are several centuries old. And what is surprising - they continue to be celebrated almost in their original form.

Of course, the people and the environment have changed, but the very essence of the holiday has remained unchanged. The most striking example is Thanksgiving in the United States. We will tell you in more detail what kind of holiday it is, where it came from and what it means.

background

In ancient times (of course, we are not talking about very distant centuries), people did not have shops, supermarkets. How to survive? Of course, to equip a small garden near the house (if the size of the land allowed, you can not waste time on trifles). As now, the inhabitants of Europe were going through difficult times, and if life became completely unbearable, they left their native lands and went to where, in their opinion, they could safely start everything from scratch. America was such a paradise for the Europeans of the New Age.

Far from all religious and political problems, it seemed to be the very corner that would shelter exiles and give a chance for new life. Many dreamed of going to this blessed land, but the distance and the raging Atlantic stopped many. The British were the first to decide on a dangerous and long journey. In 1620, the ship "Mayflower" (May flower) left the port of Plymouth. There were 102 people on it, including women and children. These were the first settlers. After several months of sailing, they moored at the easternmost point of the American continent and founded a small settlement here, which they also named Plymouth. Having built houses, the new inhabitants of America began to equip their life.

As already mentioned, there were no shops then, and it was possible to survive only with the help of natural products. But this method had one big BUT - weather conditions. Those who are happy owners of dachas and vegetable gardens know how the weather affects the harvest. The same thing happened 500 years ago. If nature favored the settlers, then the harvest was rich. And if not, the newly minted American citizens had a hard time. In those days, various religious habits were still strong, if the harvest was rich, people thanked God for help and prayed that the next year would be just as rich in food. This is where the tradition of celebrating Thanksgiving came from.

The first holiday was held on American soil in 1621. Invaluable help was provided by local residents - the Indians, who were invited to the celebration. After all, the settlers arrived in America only in November, when it was too late to sow anything. The winter was severe, many died. The Indians came to the aid of visitors (or rather, those who had sailed). The first celebration lasted three days. A real feast was arranged - there were turkeys, corn, fish, fruits and vegetables on the tables.

Of course, not only the first British sought to go overseas. Many Europeans from other countries also gradually reached out to new lands (everyone had their own reasons for immigration). Settling along the entire east coast of the American continent and going deeper, new Americans got used to new holidays, including Thanksgiving Day. They liked this celebration so much that not a single year lived in America could do without it. And the nationality of those who arrived here no longer mattered - Thanksgiving Day was celebrated by everyone without exception.

In the first years, it was considered unofficial and was celebrated only in those cases when a rich harvest was harvested. And the first president in 1789 declared Thanksgiving a state day and timed a certain date for it - the fourth Thursday of November. True, in subsequent years, the dates changed (depending on the decrees of the presidents) - either the second or the third Thursday was offered. This dance continued until 1941, when President Franklin Roosevelt signed a decree on the last Thursday of November. This is how the holiday is celebrated to this day.

Holiday traditions

So how do you celebrate one of the main holidays in America? Let's start with the fact that, first of all, this is a family celebration, to which the whole family gathers, even if relatives are scattered throughout the country or even overseas. Traditionally, the main dish on the table is a turkey in cranberry sauce, which occupies a central place on the table.

The housewives also prepare pumpkin pie, various types of sauces, sweet potatoes - in a word, they copy (if possible) those dishes that were on the tables of the first colonists. Houses these days are decorated with garlands, straw figurines, wreaths, flowers - mostly red, orange, golden and brown flowers identifiable autumn and harvest of ripe fruits.

An integral part of Thanksgiving Day are parades - with masks, costumes, huge inflatable dolls - heroes of various cartoons. People dress up as Indians, declaring gratitude in this way to those tribes that helped the first settlers survive in those harsh conditions. The largest parade is held in New York.

It can be said without exaggeration that Thanksgiving Day is one of the most beloved holidays by US citizens, a great opportunity to visit your family and friends, gather at one table and thank God not for the harvest, but for the fact that all relatives are healthy, that there are financial opportunities. . These days, you can participate in charity events by donating money, food or clothes to the homeless. And of course, it is impossible not to clarify that it is from this holiday that the Christmas fairy tale begins - Christmas trees appear, shops are filled with goods with a theme. Gradually, America is preparing for the New Year and. But Thanksgiving holds a special place in the heart of every citizen.

Thanksgiving Day is celebrated only in two countries - the USA and Canada, but the celebration is known all over the world. Moreover, the Americans have a special attitude towards it: they love this holiday so much that the actions of many films and TV shows shot in Hollywood at least partially take place on a day when it is customary to thank God and loved ones for all the good things.

What date is Thanksgiving

By the way, Americans and Canadians celebrate this celebration in different time. So, it is customary for US citizens to say "thank you" in November, namely on the fourth Thursday of the last autumn month, and for Canadians - on the second Monday of October.

Thus, in 2018 the United States will celebrate long-awaited holiday November 22, and in neighboring Canada - October 8.

history of the holiday

The origin of the holiday is associated with a group of English Puritan Protestants who, in September 1620, fleeing religious persecution in their homeland, sailed on the Mayflower ship to the New World. After two months of sailing, their ship landed on the east coast of America (New England).

They descended on the territory of the present state of Massachusetts, where it was decided to set up the first camp. However, the New World was not merciful to the settlers: difficulties in finding food, the harsh local climate, unknown diseases - all this helped to worsen living conditions. More than half of the colonists became seriously ill and died on the new continent in the first winter from hunger and want.

The surviving Puritans created Plymouth Colony, the oldest English settlement in America, and little by little struck up friendly relations with the local natives. American Indians played a decisive role in their survival, gladly responded to the requests of new neighbors, helped to establish a life and manage the household.

Thanks to the Indians, the settlers learned to cultivate the land, grow pumpkins, sow beans and corn, and hunt wild turkeys. By the way, the outsiders received the recipe for the famous maple syrup from the Indians.

An unexpectedly rich harvest in the fall of 1621 was the colonists' reward for their efforts. And since the first settlers were deeply religious Christians, they decided to give thanks to the Lord for his mercy. The Indians of the tribe were invited to the celebration, which helped them stay alive.

For a long time Thanksgiving was unofficial holiday in New England and celebrated occasionally.

After the US declared independence in 1776, the young country had to hastily acquire its own traditions and holidays. Thanksgiving Day in the United States became a public holiday in 1789 with the light hand of the first president, George Washington. He signed a decree on the celebration of Thanksgiving Day on November 26th of each year.

And yet, the holiday gained nationwide recognition and love only in 1864, when on that day Abraham Lincoln called on the troops of the North and South to put an end to hostilities and, having shared a common table and food, come to a peaceful solution to the issue. A year later, the civil war came to an end, and it was decided to celebrate Thanksgiving Day on the last Thursday of every November. In 1941, this date was legally approved.

Thanksgiving Traditions

It is customary for US citizens to spend a holiday in the circle of relatives and closest friends. On this day, Americans usually gather for a family holiday dinner, which is held in the home of the oldest members of the family.

At the same time, dishes such as baked turkey in cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie are mandatory on the table, and Thanksgiving is not complete without sweet potatoes. According to historians, the first settlers ate the same at a feast with the Indians. The celebration also has its own traditional drink - apple cider.

By the way, before starting a meal, all family members, as a rule, thank God and each other for all the good things that have happened to them over the past year.

Another Thanksgiving tradition is to pardon the turkey. This ceremony is usually held on the lawn of the White House on the eve of the celebration. As usual, in addition to the President of the United States, there are two more turkeys on it: the main hero of the occasion is the “national turkey” and its backup is the “vice turkey” (in case something happens to the first bird). During the ceremony, the American leader traditionally reads a decree pardoning the country's main turkey (her deputy, as a rule, is also left alive), and then the lucky woman is sent to the zoo, where she lives until she dies a natural death.

By the way, "national turkey" and "vice turkey" are chosen by ordinary Americans. To do this, the White House holds a special vote every year, during which those who wish are invited to choose the best bird from 30 feathered candidates.

In addition, on the eve of Thanksgiving, it is customary to do good deeds. In particular, the distribution of free lunches is very popular among philanthropists: in this way, they seek to give those in need a sense of celebration. Moreover, sometimes the president himself distributes plates of food to the homeless and the poor.

Costumed parades are also traditional on this festive November day. So, the parade organized by Macy's department store in New York is especially popular. This grand procession runs from Central Park to 34th Street (Manhattan), where the famous Macy's is located, which has long become one of the city's attractions. At the same time, the parade participants, among whom there are usually quite a few celebrities, carry huge inflatable figures of characters from popular cartoons and comic book characters. Huge crowds of locals and tourists always gather to watch this action.

In addition, on the fourth Thursday of the last autumn month in the United States, as a rule, there is a celebratory football game. Therefore, many American men spend some part of Thanksgiving in front of the TV, rooting for their favorite team.

It is worth noting the fact that Thanksgiving usually opens the New Year period, when Americans begin to actively prepare for Christmas and the New Year. The fact is that immediately after the holiday in the United States comes "Black Friday" and pre-Christmas sales start.

Among all American public holidays, Thanksgiving in the United States is perhaps the most famous outside the country. Almost everyone has heard about this holiday date, but not everyone knows about the history and traditions of the holiday.

Story

Initially, Thanksgiving was a religious holiday, on this day believers expressed their gratitude to God for all the favorable events of their lives. And in our time, the holiday has practically lost its religious features, having become universally recognized, it is celebrated by all citizens of the country, regardless of religion.

The history of Thanksgiving in America is interesting. The tradition of celebrating this date originated in the 17th century, the first holiday was held in 1621 by the first settlers who covered the North American continent from England.

The ship arrived on the shores of America in November, and people who reached another continent founded the first settlement, called the Plymouth Colony. Far from all the colonists managed to survive the hard winter, more than half of the people who arrived died, unable to bear the hardships.

In the spring, no more than fifty people remained in the colony, who began to develop local, far from the most fertile lands. In this, the colonists were greatly assisted by local residents - the Indians of the Squanto tribe, who taught the arriving people to grow garden crops on scarce lands.

In the autumn, having collected a fairly large harvest, the colonists decided to organize a holiday to give praise to God. Local Indians were also invited to this celebration. But at that time, the tradition of celebrating the holiday did not work out; the pioneers celebrated Thanksgiving Day from time to time.

The initiator of the creation of a public holiday was the first US president, elected after the country's independence. Abraham Lincoln proposed making the holiday an annual event on November 26th.

Thanksgiving dates have changed several times. Currently, it is celebrated on the last Thursday of November. That is, it is impossible to say exactly what date the holiday date is celebrated, every year the date is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of the last autumn month.

Celebration traditions

Despite the fact that Thanksgiving in America has long ceased to be a religious holiday, this date is full of traditions.

The most important of them is that Americans celebrate this date with the whole family, gathering in the house of the older generation at the festive table. Each of the family members should remember and say what good and significant things happened to him over the past year.

Traditional and dishes served on festive table. Turkey with cranberry jam is no longer just a tradition, but a kind of symbol of the holiday. Why a turkey? It is believed that this particular bird, shot by hunters in the nearby forest, was served on the table of the colonists during the first Thanksgiving celebration.

In addition, there should be an abundance of vegetables and fruits on the table, symbolizing a good harvest and a full winter. Oranges, bunches of grapes, apples, corn and other gifts of nature should be presented on the table in abundance.

Another obligatory dish served on the festive table is a dessert sweet pie with golden pumpkin filling. The table is necessarily decorated with bouquets made up of autumn flowers and twigs with berries. All this creates a feeling of the generosity of nature, a rich harvest and food abundance.

Another common tradition is to help others. On the eve of the holiday, Americans are trying to do charity work, to feed people who are not particularly lucky in life. As early as mid-November, aid stations open in crowded places in the city. Citizens can donate money or food to help prepare a festive meal for the disadvantaged and homeless.

Turkey and the incumbent

Thanksgiving is celebrated not only ordinary people but also those in power. An interesting tradition originated during the reign of Harry Truman, who was the 33rd president of the country (was in power from April 1945 to January 1953).

Each year, the incumbent is presented with two turkeys to choose from. One of the birds soon goes to the presidential kitchen to decorate the festive table in the White House. And the second bird, as a result of the solemn ceremony, receives a “pardon” and goes to live out his life on a special farm. The pardoned turkey will never again get on the table to the people, it will live on the farm until its natural death.

parades

Every year, Thanksgiving Day is celebrated with a grand parade held in New York City. The beginning of this interesting tradition was laid in 1924, thanks to the employees of the large distribution network "Macy's department store". Then the first fun carnival took place on the streets of New York, which kicked off the traditional season of pre-Christmas sales. On this day, animals from the zoo were led through the streets of the city, which, of course, greatly pleased the children, who were the main guests at the holiday.

Four years later, inflatable figures depicting fairy-tale heroes or animals began to be launched at the parade. This further fueled the interest of the townspeople and guests of New York to the carnival procession. Photos from the annual parades can only partially convey the festive atmosphere that prevails at this time on the streets of the city.

Famous people, movie and show business stars often take part in modern Thanksgiving Day parades. In addition, there are always a lot of clowns, street musicians and magicians in the procession. Spectators of the parade can watch the show for free, and even the most convenient places located along the roadsides are specially allocated for children.

Interesting Thanksgiving Facts

• The night before Thanksgiving is considered the most profitable time for American bars. The fact is that before the holiday, most Americans come to their parents' houses, and bars are the favorite places to meet childhood friends.

• Relatively new tradition celebrating the holiday was watching sports matches.

• American astronauts always celebrate Thanksgiving, even while on the orbital station.

• At least 45 million turkeys are sold in the United States every year on Thanksgiving Eve. This is about 1/6 of the total sales of this bird for the year.

• The Friday after Thanksgiving is known as Black Friday because it marks the beginning of the sales season. Shops on this day are open from the very early morning, and some large chains start the sale at exactly midnight.

• Among the inflatable figures that are traditionally launched into the sky during the parade, the most popular character is the dog Snoopy. This fairy-tale hero is found on holidays almost every year.

• In 1939, President Roosevelt proposed moving Thanksgiving from the fourth to the third Thursday in November. This was necessary to separate the holidays (Thanksgiving and Christmas) by a large period of time. However, this proposal did not receive universal support, in half of the states the holiday was celebrated in a new way, and in the rest of the country they remained true to traditions. The easiest way to solve the problem with the date of the holiday was the residents of the states of Colorado and Texas, for three years in a row they celebrated Thanksgiving Day twice - on the third and fourth Thursdays of November. This continued until 1941, when the date of the holiday, common to the entire territory of the country, was finally fixed.

• The United States' closest neighbor Canada also celebrates Thanksgiving. But Canadians celebrate the holiday earlier - every second Monday in October.

Thanksgiving Day - Public Holiday in the United States, which is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. In 2012, it falls on November 22. This is one of the most popular holidays in the country.

The very idea of ​​celebrating autumn and the end of the harvest dates back to ancient times. However, for Americans, the holiday traces its history back to the first settlers who arrived from England to America at the end of 1620 after a two-month voyage on the ship Mayflower ("May Flower"). The passengers, a group of English pilgrims fleeing religious persecution in their homeland, embarked on such a dangerous journey in the hope of establishing a colony in the New World, where they could finally find the freedom they longed for.

The first year in the new place was very harsh. The settlers had to endure hunger, cold, hardships and illnesses. After a harsh winter during which about half of the settlers died, they, with the help of Indian neighbors, learned to grow corn and other crops adapted to local conditions, to distinguish edible plants from poisonous ones, to find drinking water springs, hunting trails and fishing grounds. In the autumn of 1621, the colonists gathered a good harvest, for which they decided to thank the Lord by arranging a festive treat. The Indians who helped the colonists were invited to the holiday, which lasted three days.

It was the first Thanksgiving. It is believed that this holiday originated from the European tradition of celebrating Harvest Day. In subsequent years, the colonists held a celebration only with a good harvest, and then from time to time. Over time, the holiday has lost its religious significance.
AT different states holiday was celebrated in different days, and then began to coincide with military victories.

For a long time, the holiday was unofficial in New England. The first official Thanksgiving Day was declared in 1777 by the Continental Congress, which established December 18, 1777 as Thanksgiving Day.

In 1789, the first President of the United States, George Washington, proclaimed this holiday a national event and, at the request of Congress, set the date - November 26, Thursday. But completely national holiday Thanksgiving began in 1863, during the Civil War, when President Abraham Lincoln announced that the last Thursday in November would henceforth be celebrated as Thanksgiving. True, already in 1865, the holiday was celebrated on the first Thursday of November - as US President Andrew Johnson proclaimed. In 1869, President Ulysses Grant chose the third Thursday for Thanksgiving. In other years, Thanksgiving Day was celebrated on the last Thursday of November.

In 1939-1941, to extend the Christmas shopping season, President Franklin Roosevelt moved the holiday to the penultimate Thursday in November. But the transfer caused a split among the states - 23 states celebrated Thanksgiving Day on the last Thursday of November, the other 23 states on the penultimate Thursday. The rest of the states have declared both Thursdays holidays. After two years of confusion and complaints, on December 26, 1941, US President Roosevelt signed a law establishing Thanksgiving Day on the fourth Thursday of November. The holiday is still celebrated today.

Over the years of its existence, the holiday has a number of traditions that Americans sacredly keep and observe. Thanksgiving is usually celebrated in the house of the elder of the family in the circle of relatives. Relatives and friends from all over the country come to it to sit at a common table laden with traditional treats. It's definitely a turkey various options her preparations), sweet potatoes yams with whipped flower sauce, cranberry sauce, crouton cubes stuffing with spices, sweet potatoes, pumpkin pie and gravy - what, according to historians, was on the tables of the colonists in the distant 17th century.

The house is decorated with autumn attributes - bouquets of orange, gold, brown chrysanthemums and branches with berries, which are identified with the rich harvest of this year.

Before starting a meal, whether in the family circle or among friends, it is customary to give thanks for these gifts, including the joy of meeting on the occasion of the holiday. If someone is left without a festive dinner, then charitable organizations will invite him. The president himself on this day helps to feed the homeless, the poor and the elderly, putting generous portions on their plates. The head of state should show the country an example of charity.

Another tradition of the holiday is a solemn one, which is held in the White House on the eve of the holiday. In accordance with this tradition, at least one turkey must avoid the fate of being on the festive table.

The tradition of honoring the Thanksgiving turkey, according to the most common version, began in 1947, when the National Turkey Federation (National Turkey Federation) first gave the bird to US President Harry Truman. However, until 1989, presidential turkeys were sent to the festive table of the head of state, and only in 1963, President John F. Kennedy broke the tradition and left alive the bird received as a gift.

the first official ceremony The turkey was pardoned by George W. Bush in 1989. Since then, every year the turkey and its "understudy" (a backup is chosen in case something suddenly happens to the first bird before the ceremony) get rid of the prospect of being roasted and go to one of the children's parks.

Parades are another attribute of the holiday, mostly costumed - in the clothes of the 17th century and the costumes of the Indians. The most famous parade is held annually in New York. It has been organized by Macy's, the world's largest department store chain, since the 1920s. The main attraction of the parade are huge inflatable toys (cartoon, fairy tale and TV characters) that are carried from Central Park to the department store entrance (between the Seventh Broadway) The parade is televised and fireworks display over the East River, which separates New York from Brooklyn, in the evening.

There is also a tradition of writing Thanksgiving songs. One of the relatively new Thanksgiving traditions is watching the National Football League (NFL) game.

After Thanksgiving, traditional pre-Christmas sales begin to work across America.

The material was prepared on the basis of information from RIA Novosti and open sources

Special meals. Everyone is content, happy and full of peace. Even the image of the Indians, who, out of the kindness of their hearts, agreed to save the suffering colonists, radiates goodness and willingness to help their neighbor within the framework of Christian values. Alas, it wasn't really like that.

Thanksgiving History

There lived such a people in the state of Massachusetts - the Patuxets. Members of a special association of tribes speaking related languages ​​- Vanpanoags. And there lived among the Patuxets a certain Tiskvantum. He lived, did not grieve, went hunting. Until in 1614 he was captured by slave traders. White. And taken to Europe. Yes, there were no official English colonies there yet, but this did not interfere with the slave trade at all.

Source - studenticonsigliopuglia

However, Tisquantum was still lucky - he, along with several relatives, was bought out by monks from a monastery in the city of Malaga in order to demonstratively convert him to Christianity. Converted, cultivated, given freedom. So Squanto, as he was now called, remained in Europe. True, not for long. In 1618, he moved to literally the newly founded colony of New England. Specifically, the city of Plymouth. A place near his home.

And the locals really benefited from Tisquantum's knowledge of edible plants, fishing grounds, and farming on rocky and not very fertile soil. With the help of Squanto's advice and some help from the local Indians who joined him, he managed to survive the winter of 1620-1621. This is what formed the basis of the Thanksgiving holiday. Not some abstract "local Indians", but a purely concrete Indian with "Stockholm syndrome". Kidnapped, suffered, forcibly converted to a new faith and then agreed to become an intermediary between the colonists and other Vanapnoag tribes.

Actually, as part of attempts to negotiate, a meeting took place between the colonists and the Indians in the fall of 1621. The first official Thanksgiving. Which is now celebrated every fourth Thursday in November. However, even this did not happen immediately.

George Washington, for example, defined Thanksgiving as November 26th. Abraham Lincoln in 1864 proclaimed that no, nothing like that - only the last Thursday of November is suitable for this matter. In 1939, President Roosevelt again changed the date of the holiday and moved it to the penultimate Thursday of November. And only in 1941 the date finally settled down.

And what about the Patuxet tribe, who were so kind as to help the “Pilgrim Fathers”? And for the most part they are dead. Either from the plague, or from leptospirosis, or from something else. Well, at least all historians unanimously say that it was a pure accident - blankets infected with smallpox appeared on historical maps a little later.

We also think you might be interested to know how some people celebrate Thanksgiving. They celebrate well, you will not say anything. On a grand scale. And quite original.