A significant American holiday celebrating gratitude and unity, officially established in 1941 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to be observed on the fourth Thursday of November.

Thanksgiving Day stands as one of America's most cherished holidays bringing families together for a feast of gratitude and celebration. While many know it falls in November the exact date can sometimes cause confusion since it's not fixed like Christmas or New Year's Day.

In the United States Thanksgiving always occurs on the fourth Thursday of November. This tradition became official in 1941 when President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a bill into law establishing this permanent date. The holiday kicks off a long weekend that's marked by festive meals family gatherings and the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season with Black Friday sales.

The roots of Thanksgiving Day trace back to a historic gathering between English Pilgrims and Native Americans in 1621. This three-day harvest celebration marked the beginning of a tradition that would evolve into one of America's most significant holidays.

The first Thanksgiving occurred in Plymouth Colony, Massachusetts, after the Pilgrims' successful harvest. The celebration brought together 53 Pilgrims and 90 Native Americans from the Wampanoag tribe, including their leader Massasoit. The feast featured:

• Wild fowl (duck, goose, turkey)
• Venison provided by Wampanoag hunters
• Fish (cod, bass, lobster)
• Local crops (corn, squash, beans)
• Native fruits (plums, cranberries)

• Annual harvest festivals in New England colonies
• Religious services combined with communal feasts
• Public proclamations of thanksgiving by colonial governors
• Charitable giving to less fortunate community members

Period	Key Development	Impact
1621	First Thanksgiving Feast	Established foundation for future celebrations
1789	George Washington's Proclamation	First national Thanksgiving observance
1863	Lincoln's Presidential Declaration	Annual national holiday status
1941	Roosevelt's Congressional Act	Fixed date as fourth Thursday in November

Thanksgiving Day follows a standardized calendar pattern in North America with specific dates for both the United States and Canada.

The United States celebrates Thanksgiving Day on the fourth Thursday of November, as established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt's signing of the Congressional resolution in 1941. This date ensures the holiday falls between November 22 and November 28 each year, providing a consistent timeline for holiday planning. The federal holiday creates a four-day weekend for federal employees with many private businesses following the same schedule.

Canadian Thanksgiving occurs on the second Monday of October, approximately six weeks before the American celebration. The earlier date aligns with Canada's shorter harvest season due to its geographical location. Canadian Thanksgiving became a national holiday in 1879 with its October date officially fixed by Parliament in 1957. The holiday creates a three-day weekend for Canadians but maintains distinct cultural traditions from its American counterpart.

Country	Celebration Date	Year Established	Weekend Duration
United States	Fourth Thursday of November	1941	4 days
Canada	Second Monday of October	1957	3 days

Presidential Thanksgiving proclamations mark significant moments in American history, establishing traditions and reflecting the nation's values. These official declarations shaped how Americans observe the holiday.

The first presidential Thanksgiving proclamation emphasized national unity and gratitude. President Washington designated November 26, 1789, as a day of public thanksgiving, focusing on:

• Acknowledging civil and religious liberties
• Expressing gratitude for peaceful establishment of the Constitution
• Encouraging prayer for government protection
• Promoting service to country and fellow citizens

Lincoln's proclamation during the Civil War established Thanksgiving as an annual federal holiday. His declaration included:

• Setting the last Thursday of November as the official date
• Recognizing national blessings despite wartime challenges
• Emphasizing unity and healing during national division
• Establishing protocols for federal government observance

Roosevelt's proclamations introduced significant modifications to the holiday:

Year	Change	Impact
1939	Moved to 3rd Thursday	Extended shopping season
1940	Continued 3rd Thursday	Created "Franksgiving" controversy
1941	Fixed to 4th Thursday	Resolved date confusion permanently

• Annual turkey pardoning ceremony at the White House
• Recognition of military service members
• Calls for national unity and reflection
• Acknowledgment of American diversity and shared values

Modern Thanksgiving celebrations combine traditional customs with contemporary practices, creating a distinctive blend of old and new traditions. Americans gather to express gratitude while participating in various cultural activities that mark this significant holiday.

The centerpiece of modern Thanksgiving celebrations is the traditional feast, featuring roasted turkey as the main dish. A typical Thanksgiving dinner includes specific dishes:

Traditional Dish	Common Ingredients
Turkey	Herb-seasoned, roasted whole bird
Stuffing	Bread, herbs, vegetables, broth
Cranberry Sauce	Fresh/canned cranberries, sugar
Mashed Potatoes	Potatoes, butter, milk
Green Bean Casserole	Green beans, mushroom soup, fried onions
Pumpkin Pie	Pumpkin puree, spices, pie crust

Families gather at 3:00 PM on average for the main meal, with 81% of Americans serving turkey at their Thanksgiving feast. Extended family members travel across the country, making Thanksgiving one of the busiest travel periods in the United States.

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade stands as the most prominent Thanksgiving celebration, drawing 3.5 million spectators to New York City annually. Notable parade features include:

• Giant character balloons measuring up to 6 stories high

• Elaborate floats featuring popular entertainers

• Marching bands from high schools nationwide

• Live television coverage reaching 50 million viewers

• Local turkey trot races held in 1,000+ cities

• Football games featuring NFL teams in special holiday matchups

• Holiday markets opening for early Christmas shopping

• Community service activities at food banks serving 300,000+ meals

• Thanksgiving in the United States is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November, established by law in 1941 under President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
• The holiday originated from a 1621 harvest celebration between Pilgrims and Native Americans in Plymouth Colony, Massachusetts.
• Canadian Thanksgiving differs, occurring on the second Monday of October, about six weeks before the U.S. celebration.
• The traditional Thanksgiving feast typically features roasted turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie, with family gatherings averaging around 3:00 PM.
• Modern celebrations include the famous Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, which attracts 3.5 million spectators and 50 million TV viewers annually.

Thanksgiving Day stands as a cherished American tradition that goes far beyond a simple holiday celebration. It's a time when the nation pauses to express gratitude while honoring both historical roots and modern customs.

Whether gathering for the traditional 3 PM feast watching the Macy's Parade or participating in community service Americans continue to embrace this special day with enthusiasm. The holiday's fixed date on the fourth Thursday of November provides a predictable anchor for family reunions and the start of the winter holiday season.

Through centuries of evolution Thanksgiving has maintained its core values of gratitude unity and celebration while adapting to meet contemporary needs and traditions. It remains one of America's most significant and widely celebrated holidays bringing people together across all backgrounds.