Thanksgiving Day is an important traditional festival in North America, representing gratitude and reunion. Thanksgiving in the United States is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November each year, while Thanksgiving in Canada is celebrated on the second Monday of October. Just like the Chinese Spring Festival and Mid-Autumn Festival, Thanksgiving is a rare and precious time for Americans and Canadians to reunite with their families, share a delicious meal, and enjoy family happiness. Many people also take this opportunity to reflect and be grateful for the positive things in life. side. Thanksgiving also marks the start of the Christmas holiday and the “Black Friday” shopping season.
The history of Thanksgiving in the United States can be traced back to 1621. The famous “Mayflower” ship arrived in America with 102 Puritans who could not endure the religious persecution in Britain. The kind-hearted Indians not only gave them many daily necessities, but also taught them How they hunted, fished and planted corn and pumpkins. With the help of the Indians, the immigrants obtained a bumper harvest. On the day of celebrating the harvest, in order to thank the Indians for their sincere gifts and help, the immigrants invited them to celebrate together and thank God for the harvest fruits. This became the first Thanksgiving Day in American history.
Initially, there was no fixed date for Thanksgiving, which was decided temporarily by each state in the United States. Until 1863, President Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday. In 1941, the U.S. Congress officially designated the fourth Thursday of November as “Thanksgiving”. The Thanksgiving holiday generally lasts from Thursday to Sunday. In addition to the United States and Canada, there are also countries in the world such as Egypt and Greece that have their own unique Thanksgivings. Now in China, Thanksgiving is gradually becoming popular. Family and friends will send messages of thanks and blessings to each other or gather together for a delicious meal.
Thanksgiving traditions and activities
1. Reunite as a family and enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving meal together
The traditional Thanksgiving dinner usually includes roast turkey, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, mince pie, ham, sweet potatoes, etc. The dessert after the meal is usually pumpkin pie. Roast turkey is the traditional main dish of Thanksgiving. It was the Indians who first taught Americans to cook roast turkey to satisfy their hunger, and then this tradition has been preserved to this day.
2. Break the wishing bone for good luck
After enjoying the roasted turkey on Thanksgiving Day, people will dry the Y-shaped wishbone of the turkey. The wishbone is very thin and very crisp after drying. Two people each hold one end of the bone, recite their wishes silently in their hearts, and join together. Break the wishing bone with force. It is said that whoever has a bigger bone in his hand will have his wish come true and get good luck in the coming year.
3. Play some traditional games
For example, in the cranberry competition, the game is played by placing a large bowl with cranberries on the ground. The contestants have to string up the cranberries one by one with needle and thread within three minutes. Whoever strings the most cranberries wins. The pumpkin racing game is also very popular. The contestant uses a small spoon to push the pumpkin. The rule is that the pumpkin must not be touched with hands. The first to reach the finish line wins the prize.
4. Watch American football games
American football, also known as rugby, is America’s most popular sport, with millions of Americans watching the Detroit Lions play on Thanksgiving. To burn off some calories from the Thanksgiving meal, some families will also split into two groups and play a game of football among themselves.
5. Watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
It has been held annually since 1924 and is nationally televised by NBC (National Broadcasting Company). The parade usually starts at 9 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day and lasts for three hours. Every year, there are many participants and the momentum is huge. Large balloons of various shapes are always one of the highlights of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
6. Start the Black Friday shopping carnival
The day after Thanksgiving is “Black Friday”! Major shopping malls in the United States will have promotions and discounts. Not only are they large-scale, but the discounts are extremely low. Many people started queuing up from the night before, and the scene was spectacular!
Thanksgiving food
1. Roast turkey
Roast turkey is usually stuffed with various seasonings and mixed foods, and then roasted whole. The chicken skin is roasted until dark brown, and then cut into thin slices and shared with everyone. Then each person pours marinade according to their own taste. , sprinkle with salt.
2. Apple Pie
The pie crust is golden and crispy, the filling is warm, and has a rich apple aroma. It comes in a variety of shapes, sizes and flavors, including freestyle, standard two-layer style, caramel apple pie, French apple pie, and breaded apple pie. , sour cream apple pie.
3. Cranberry sauce
As a side dish and embellishment for Thanksgiving, cranberries have a slightly sour taste, and the jam made with sugar is very refreshing, sweet and sour. Around Thanksgiving, every household is keen on making cranberry jam with different flavors.
4. Mashed potatoes
Mashed potatoes are also a must-have on the Thanksgiving table. For Western countries, potatoes are an important staple food after flour. Potatoes can be made into salads, soups, staple foods, snacks, etc. The roasted turkey sauce is poured over the rich, fragrant, dense and tender mashed potatoes, and the taste is so tempting.
5. Pumpkin pie
Pumpkin pie is rich in milk and the filling is tender and smooth. It is suitable for all ages. It is a classic Thanksgiving dessert and a seasonal ingredient in autumn. Warm and brightly colored pumpkins symbolize harvest and reunion.
Post time: Nov-22-2023
