Thanksgiving Day 2024: A celebration of gratitude, unity and tradition on November 28 Thanksgiving Day is a unique and important festival that is celebrated with great pomp in the US and Canada every year. This year, Thanksgiving Day will be celebrated in the US on 28 November 2024. This day is special for those who want to express gratitude for every small and big happiness, success and relationships in their lives.
This festival not only symbolizes family unity and happiness, but it also gives the message of gratitude, kindness, and maintaining traditions. Let us understand in detail the history, significance, traditions and its changing form in modern times of this special occasion.
Historical significance of Thanksgiving
The history of Thanksgiving Day goes back to 1621, when the Pilgrims and Wampanoag tribes organized a thanksgiving feast together for the first time in Plymouth, Massachusetts. This feast was in celebration of the successful harvest they had despite hardships and struggles.
The Pilgrims, who were religious refugees from Europe, arrived in America in 1620. They established their new settlement in the Plymouth area of Massachusetts. Initially, the weather and unfamiliar conditions proved challenging for them. But the Wampanoag tribe taught them the art of farming and survival, which led them to grow their first successful harvest.
This celebration was not just limited to a meal; it became a symbol of their unity, cooperation, and respect for nature. This event became the foundation of the modern Thanksgiving, which was later celebrated as a national festival.
The journey to make Thanksgiving a national holiday in America
In 1863, US President Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving an official national holiday. He took this decision during the American Civil War, when the country was going through a difficult phase. Lincoln described it as a day when people “say thanks to God, pray for the country, and unite.”
Modern Thanksgiving Traditions
Today, Thanksgiving is not limited to the US. The festival is also celebrated globally. There are many traditions associated with it that make it special:
Traditional Thanksgiving Meal The main attraction of Thanksgiving is its traditional banquet. This banquet includes many special dishes, such as:
Turkey: It is considered the most important dish of this day.
Stuffing and Gravy: Stuffing and gravy are a must with turkey.
Mashed Potatoes and Cranberry Sauce: It is a traditional part of the meal.
Pumpkin Pie: This special dessert dish is the pride of Thanksgiving.
Family and friends sit together during the meal, which increases the depth and happiness of relationships.
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which is held in New York City, is an important part of this festival. This parade attracts millions of people every year and is also widely watched on television. The parade includes colorful floats, large balloons, marching bands, and amazing performances.
Football Match Football matches are also an important tradition on Thanksgiving Day. There is a different fun in watching the matches organized by the NFL with family and friends on this day.
Importance of Charity and Service Another important aspect of Thanksgiving is helping others. On this day people organize community feasts, distribute food to the needy, and make donations. This day inspires to do something not only for oneself but also for the society.
The changing form of Thanksgiving
In today’s time, Thanksgiving is no longer just a traditional celebration. This festival has evolved with the modern lifestyle.
Black Friday Shopping The day after Thanksgiving, called Black Friday, is a shopping event with huge discounts and offers. This day has come to mark the beginning of the American festive shopping season.
Virtual Thanksgiving The trend of virtual Thanksgiving has increased since the COVID-19 pandemic. People connect with their loved ones through video calls and celebrate this day.
Environmental awareness In the modern era, people are trying to celebrate Thanksgiving in an environmentally responsible way. Less use of plastic, preventing food waste, and using recyclable materials for decoration are some of the steps that increase environmental awareness.
Message of Thanksgiving: Gratitude and Unity
The biggest message of Thanksgiving is “gratitude.” This festival teaches us to be grateful for every little thing in life.
Family Bonding: This day is an opportunity to spend with family and friends.
Social Responsibility: This festival reminds us of our duty towards helping others and society.
Spirituality: Thanksgiving symbolizes not only material but also spiritual gratitude. Festivals like Thanksgiving around the world The spirit of Thanksgiving is not limited to America only. Festivals of harvest and gratitude are also celebrated in many other countries of the world:
Canada: Thanksgiving in Canada is celebrated on the second Monday of October.
Germany: Here it is called ‘Erntedankfest’ and it is a harvest festival.
Japan: In Japan, it is called ‘Labor Thanksgiving Day’.
How to Make Thanksgiving 2024 Special?
Spend time with family Spend this day with the people who are important in your life.
Help the needy Donate, volunteer, and try to bring a smile to others’ faces.
Do a digital detox Try to connect with your loved ones by staying away from phones and social media on Thanksgiving.
Keep the environment in mind Use local food items and use natural items in decoration.
Conclusion
Thanksgiving Day 2024 is not just a festival but a mirror of our life that teaches us how important it is to cherish and be grateful for everything we have in life. This day not only gives us an opportunity to spend time with our family and friends but also inspires us to express gratitude towards every aspect of our life—happiness, successes, and even challenges.
In this modern age, where fast-paced life and digital media have left our traditions and relationships far behind, this festival of Thanksgiving gives us an important opportunity to return to our values. It reminds us that true happiness lies not in material things, but in the people around us, our experiences, and the small positive initiatives we take.
Along with this, this festival of Thanksgiving also underlines our responsibilities towards the society. Helping the needy, sharing their happiness, and promoting a sense of collective cooperation is an important part of this festival. This day makes us realize that our small acts of kindness can bring about big changes in society.
This Thanksgiving 2024 not only gives us an opportunity to live our traditions and culture, but also entrusts us with the responsibility of preserving those values and ideals for future generations. Today, when issues like environment and social inequality are standing in front of us, this festival also inspires us to become aware and responsible in this direction.
On this Thanksgiving, let us all understand our duties towards our family and society, recognize the importance of gratitude, and contribute our part to make the world a better place. This festival should not be limited to just a one-day celebration, but it should become an integral part of our lives, inspiring us to express gratitude and help others every day.
Let Thanksgiving Day 2024 mark a new beginning, where we spread the message of gratitude, love, and respect not just for ourselves but for all of humanity and nature.
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