By Grace Flinn

Thanksgiving Day is a holiday of blessings and giving thanks on the fourth Thursday of  November each year.   

      It was first celebrated in 1621 when the Pilgrims and Wampanoag Indians shared their harvest. Families have their own or follow the same traditions on the holiday. When one thinks of Thanksgiving they think of the traditional Thanksgiving feast: turkey or ham, potatoes, gravy, stuffing, and pie for dessert. Before the Thanksgiving dinner some families join together around the table and give thanks for the food they are provided. After the families finish their Thanksgiving dinner, two individuals take the “wishbone” the bone attached to the breast meat in the turkey’s chest. They each take and end of the wishbone and make a wish. They pull on each end to break the wishbone in two, and whomever has the bigger piece, their wish will come true.

     Thanksgiving Day is the busiest travel day of the year when families travel far distances to be with their loved ones. Giving thanks is an important part of this special holiday. Family and friends get together and think about the moments they cherish and are grateful for they have. We are reminded on this day it is important to give thanks and share and give. Some families even like to help others in need that do not have the home or family to visit on Thanksgiving Day. Some will volunteer to help serve or donate to the homeless, Thanksgiving food at homeless shelters.

     Before the Thanksgiving feast, loved ones gather to watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. There are many bands and floats with giant balloons shown in the parade, along with dancers and singers. Also, the traditional football games on television. It is a day to relax with your family and sit around to enjoy the Thanksgiving food.

    Thanksgiving Day allows families to get in the Christmas Holiday spirit. Black Friday is the Friday after Thanksgiving where it gives a day for one to shop for the holiday season at stores with the best deals. Some stores and malls start their deals on Thanksgiving Day to give more time for people to get shopping done. Although, some might think it will cut into the family time they need on the special holiday.

     Thanksgiving is not all about the food, football games, parade, and shopping. It is a day to spend time with loved ones, and give to others. It reminds people to be grateful for what they have.