The background of Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of every November. A traditional celebration is held when friends and family gather around and feast as an homage to what is thought to be the original harvest feast.
Back in 1621 in Plymouth, Massachusetts the Pilgrims, or English Colonists, and the Wampanoag native Americans shared a meal together despite the differences and fighting between them. The feast they shared then evolved into what is now known as Thanksgiving.
While the idea of sitting down and eating together came from the original first meal, much of the food changed over time. The pilgrims and Wampanoag did not have access to the same foods people do today. Turkey, a main fixture in modern day Thanksgiving meals, was not guaranteed to appear on their table as it was not common during that time. Geese and ducks were much easier to capture back then instead of turkeys. The Wampanoag brought deer, so there was a high chance of venison. The Wampanoag also brought fish, eels, shellfish, stews, vegetables, and beer to accompany the venison.
Present-day Thanksgiving is celebrated with roasted turkey, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, pumpkin pie, and many more delicious dishes. And serves as an event for friends and families to reconnect with one another and catch up.
Thanksgiving was not declared a national holiday until the 16th president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, proclaimed it was on November 26th. However, on December 26, 1941, Congress passed a law to make Thanksgiving the fourth Thursday instead of the last Thursday. This was due to business owners and people wanting more time to shop for Christmas presents.
Thousands of charities and events each year set up food drives to help everyone have a filling meal on Thanksgiving. It helps face hunger and feeds thousands of families across America making sure no food goes to waste.
This includes the annual Deerfield Beach High School harvest food drive. FLIPANY and Farm Share are both nonprofit organizations that have worked together with Deerfield Beach High School to secure and provide meals for hundreds of Floridian families. Their goal is to get students and staff to donate unperishable food, canned goods, toiletries, and special needs items.
As many celebrate Thanksgiving worldwide, the background is barely known. This holiday has evolved from one simple meal to a symbol of gratitude, thanks, and family. It has become an event where families gather and share the feast known as Thanksgiving Day.
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