Thanksgiving Day 2024 in US: Know about history, significance, tradition and celebrations

Additionally, countries like Australia, Grenada, the Netherlands, and India participate in the festivities as well.

As we celebrate the festival today, here’s all you need to know about Thanksgiving Day.

When is Thanksgiving Day 2024?

In the United States, Thanksgiving is observed annually on the fourth Thursday of November. This year, Thanksgiving Day in 2024 will be celebrated on Thursday, November 28.

Read: 6 movies to watch with family on Thanksgiving Day

What is the significance of Thanksgiving Day?

The festival of Thanksgiving is connected for various reasons such as peace of mind, increased happiness, reduced stress, and overall betterment in family relations and friendships. Expressing gratitude and cherishing bonds can help deepen and strengthen relationships.

This tradition is passed down through generations which has aided in cultural preservation, fostering a sense of community and belonging. For many, it is a time for personal reflection, meditation, and spiritual growth.

The history behind Thanksgiving:

Its traditional roots go as deep as 1941 when then-President Franklin D. Roosevelt came up with this practice to ensure its continuity and consistency.

He proposed that the third Thursday of November every year be celebrated as Thanksgiving Day but due to inconsistencies in the date, it was later revised to the fourth Thursday of November which is how it is celebrated to this day.

The First Thanksgiving ever celebrated has been dated to the 1621 feast in Plymouth, Massachusetts when the Pilgrims received help from the Wampanoag Indians.

The pilgrims were struggling to survive in the harsh winter conditions, after which they celebrated a successful harvest as a three-day festival that included both English and Native Americans.

How is Thanksgiving Day celebrated? 

Though there have been improvisations in the way Thanksgiving is celebrated, its essence has been the same which is family gatherings and delicious feasts.

The main dish which is the heart of the celebration is the good old Turkey, which is marinated with spices and filled up with mashed potatoes.

Other festivities include the Thanksgiving Day parades such as Macy’s Parade where people donate essentials to those in need.

Another tradition is the Presidential Turkey Pardon where the President saves a turkey from being slaughtered for Thanksgiving, and pardons it, allowing it to live a healthy life on a farm.

Typical dishes served at the celebration include stuffed turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie.