Thanksgiving, or el Día de Acción de Gracias in Spanish, is a holiday that is celebrated in the United States and Canada. It is a day to give thanks for the blessings of the year and to spend time with family and friends. The holiday has its roots in the harvest festivals that were celebrated by the Native Americans and the Pilgrims in the 1600s. Today, it is one of the most important holidays in the United States and is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November.
The History of Thanksgiving
The history of Thanksgiving dates back to 1621, when the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Indians held a feast to celebrate the first successful harvest in Plymouth Colony. The feast lasted for three days and included deer, wild turkey, fish, and corn. The Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Indians shared food, stories, and games during the feast, which is now known as the first Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving became an official holiday in the United States in 1863, when President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of thanksgiving to be celebrated on the last Thursday in November. In 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a bill that made Thanksgiving a legal holiday and moved it to the fourth Thursday in November.
Thanksgiving Traditions
Thanksgiving is a time for families to come together and celebrate. Many families have traditions that they follow each year, such as cooking a turkey or watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on television. Some families also participate in volunteer work or donate to charity during the holiday season.
One of the most important traditions of Thanksgiving is the Thanksgiving dinner. The dinner usually includes a roast turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. Some families also serve other dishes, such as ham, green beans, or sweet potatoes.
Thanksgiving in Spanish-Speaking Countries
Thanksgiving is not celebrated in Spanish-speaking countries in the same way that it is celebrated in the United States and Canada. However, some countries have similar holidays or celebrations that are based on giving thanks or celebrating the harvest.
In Mexico, the holiday of Día de Acción de Gracias is not celebrated, but there is a similar holiday called Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. This holiday is celebrated on November 1st and 2nd and is a time to remember loved ones who have passed away. Families build altars and decorate them with flowers, candles, and food offerings.
In Spain, there is a holiday called La Fiesta de San Juan, which is celebrated on June 24th. This holiday is a celebration of the summer solstice and includes bonfires, fireworks, and outdoor feasts with family and friends.
Conclusion
Thanksgiving is a holiday that is celebrated in the United States and Canada as a time to give thanks for the blessings of the year. It has its roots in the harvest festivals that were celebrated by the Native Americans and the Pilgrims in the 1600s. Today, it is a time for families to come together and celebrate with traditions such as the Thanksgiving dinner and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. While Thanksgiving is not celebrated in the same way in Spanish-speaking countries, there are similar holidays and celebrations that are based on giving thanks or celebrating the harvest.
