History of Thanksgiving
By KATELYN FINDLEY, Features Editor
It is said that the first thanksgiving feast of the colonies then known as the autumn harvest was celebrated in 1621.
It was celebrated by England and the Native American Wampanoag people.
In 1623 the second Thanksgiving was held after a long drought had ended. However, in 1863 during the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln set Thanksgiving to be held each every november.
In 1817 New York became the first state to adopt the holiday. There is still much controversy surrounding the Thanksgiving story.
Americans and Native Americans believe the celebration of thanksgiving hides the real truth of oppressions and bloodshed.
Some scholars are skeptical on whether or not the feast at Plymouth actually acted as the first thanksgiving in the United States. There are predated ceremonies recorded to the Pilgrims’ celebration.
Don’t forget to be thankful this holiday
There are many things to be thankful for this season that are usually forgotten.
During this time it is easy to get wrapped up in making plans, cooking the perfect dish and Holiday festivities, that we forget to really look at what this day was supposed to represent, which is hope and Thanksgiving.
America with all of her faults can be a nice place to live that allows us to have many freedoms and opportunities to be grateful for.
For example: freedom of speech and religion, ability to have education at all ages of life, the ability to choose your own career, etc.
These are just a few examples of things to take in consideration to be thankful for as the holiday becomes closer.
Macy’s parade facts
This year is the 98th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
The Parade first took place in New York City in 1924.
This parade is still the most famous and largest. With a crowd of 3 million people and many more watching from the comfort of their tvs.
The Parade is a 2.5 miles route featuring, celebrating floats, performers and marching bands.
The parade features more than 700 clowns, 32 balloons, 17 of them being giant heliium balloons, 11 marching bands and 10 performance groups, as well as musical stars and of course Santa Clause.
Traditional Thanksgiving dishes
- Green bean casserole
- Sweet potato casserole
- Mac and cheese
- Pecan pie
- Brussel sprouts
- Turkey
- Stuffing
- Mash potatoes
- Cranberry sauce
- Pumpkin pie
- Dinner rolls
- Cornbread
- Glazed carrots
- Apple pie
10 Turkey Day Movies
- “Free Birds” (2013)
- “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” (1973)
- “Jim Henson’s Turkey Hollow” (2015)
- “Thanksgiving” (2023)
- “The Thanksgiving Movie” (2020)
- “Love at the Thanksgiving Day Parade” (2012)
- “A Waltons Thanksgiving” (2022)
- “The Blind Side” (2009)
- “Turkey Day” (2020)
- “Garfield’s Thanksgiving” (1989)