The Concept of Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is more than just turkeys and pies.
It represents a moment to recognize the year’s blessings, such as enduring awkward family gatherings and claiming the last parking spot at the store.
Rooted in gratitude rather than greed — quite rare in today’s society — it acts as an annual nudge for people to contemplate what truly matters.
Its form has changed over centuries, but the core idea remains: giving thanks, often with an unbuttoned waistband. Historically, it’s been a unifying force, designed to halt life’s chaos for a momentary interlude of appreciation.
The tradition of gratitude didn’t start with Pinterest-worthy Thanksgiving tables. Early settlers expressed thankfulness for essential needs: food, alliances, and avoiding freezing.
Over time, this sentiment transitioned from collective survival to a personal nod to what makes modern life more comfortable — a functioning Wi-Fi connection being a popular choice.
While today’s lists of things to appreciate might highlight health and family, there’s plenty of love for Netflix, DoorDash, or a comfy pair of sweatpants too. Thanksgiving fundamentally celebrates giving thanks without expecting anything in return, except perhaps another piece of pie.
Origin of Thanksgiving in the USA
Thanksgiving’s roots date back to the early 1600s when Pilgrims, a group of English Dissidents, sought religious freedom. Discontent with restrictions under the Church of England, they embarked on the Mayflower in 1620 for the New World. After a challenging 66-day voyage, they arrived at Plymouth Rock in Massachusetts. The first year brought harsh winters, limited resources, and disease, claiming nearly half the settlers.
Their survival was precarious, but indigenous tribes, including the Wampanoag, provided aid, which enabled the Pilgrims to see another season.
Following a successful harvest, aided by the Wampanoag, the settlers organized a three-day feast.
Held outdoors (as if they had a choice), the event featured more “eat what you catch” than cranberry sauce or casserole: the Pilgrims likely feasted on Wildfowl, Venison and Seafood.
While not a national holiday yet, it laid the groundwork for the lasting combination of food, thanks, and overindulgence.
Evolution of Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving has transformed from a simple harvest gathering to an extravagant event centered around elastic-waist pants and copious amounts of food.
For more than two centuries, its observance differed across states and regions. New Englanders eagerly adopted it, while the southern states slowly warmed up to the idea.
Following the Pilgrims’ 1621 feast, sporadic days of thanks appeared, often linked to religious observance. In 1789, George Washington proclaimed the first national day of thanksgiving, yet Americans were uncertain about how—or if—they wanted to celebrate it.
Sarah Josepha Hale, an influential writer and magazine editor, may have played a crucial role in shaping the holiday as we know it today. She tirelessly wrote to numerous presidents, advocating for a unified national Thanksgiving holiday.
Her efforts paid off in 1863, amidst the Civil War, when Abraham Lincoln declared a national day of “thanksgiving and praise.”
Congress officially established Thanksgiving as a federal holiday in 1941, setting it on the fourth Thursday of November.
Today, Thanksgiving revolves around the timeworn idea that nothing bonds a family like overeating while avoiding political debates. It highlights togetherness, with millions traveling long distances annually to chew through traffic and dry turkey. The holiday holds a unique position where multi-generational families gather under one roof—sometimes as an act of love, other times out of guilt.
Customs and Traditions
Thanksgiving wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without its holy trinity: turkey, parades, and football.
Turkey stands as the centerpiece of Thanksgiving, though the bird was never consulted on this custom. This unofficial mascot has its place at nearly every table, with about 46 million sacrificed annually in the name of tradition. Served roasted, fried, or smoked, it’s complemented by a variety of carb-heavy sides. Families indulge in mashed potatoes, gravy, pies, and green been casseroles, often considering canned cranberry sauce a gourmet dish.
If you think poultry has it bad, spare a thought for parade staff battling giant balloons.
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, a New York City staple since 1924, features larger-than-life characters awkwardly navigating Manhattan’s wind tunnel-like streets. A mix of huge balloons, floats, and marching bands grabs viewers’ attention from pre-meal hunger. Millions of spectators line up each year, reminding everyone that cultural icons dressed as clowns still draw a crowd.
Football snags the spotlight in the afternoon—thanks to the NFL. The Thanksgiving Day games, dating back to the 1920s, provide background noise for post-meal naps or arguments about which team ruined the season this year. It seems that nothing expresses “thanks” quite like people tackling each other over a ball.
Thanksgiving in Contemporary Culture
Thanksgiving has interlaced itself into American pop culture via various media, from sitcoms to well-known films.
TV series such as “Friends” illustrate the comedic chaos of the holiday, with scenes like Monica’s turkey head becoming a memorable tradition.
Films like “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles” capture the season’s travel nightmares, earning nods from anyone stuck in airport purgatory.
Animated series, for example “The Simpsons”, consistently highlight how the spirit of gratitude sometimes clashes with family dysfunction.
Even Charlie Brown’s less-than-gourmet popcorn dinner in “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” reminds audiences that sometimes, tradition is more about effort than execution.
Thanksgiving’s cultural presence extends to music, although attempts to craft songs comparable to Christmas jingles have fallen short. Evidently, creating carols about cranberries or yams hasn’t taken flight.