Here are some fun facts about Thanksgiving:
- First Thanksgiving: The first recorded Thanksgiving celebration in North America was held in 1578 in what is now Newfoundland, Canada.
- Duration: The first Thanksgiving in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1621 lasted for three days.
- Turkey pardon: The tradition of the U.S. President pardoning a turkey began officially in 1989 with George H.W. Bush.
- Macy’s Parade: The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade started in 1924 and originally featured live animals from the Central Park Zoo.
- Football tradition: The first NFL Thanksgiving Day game was played in 1934 between the Detroit Lions and the Chicago Bears.
- Turkey consumption: Americans eat an estimated 46 million turkeys each Thanksgiving.
- Cranberries: Native to North America, cranberries are one of only three fruits commercially grown that are native to the U.S. (the others being blueberries and Concord grapes).
- Pumpkin pie: The pumpkin pie wasn’t served at the first Thanksgiving. Pumpkins were likely served, but not in pie form.
- Black Friday: The day after Thanksgiving, known as Black Friday, is one of the busiest shopping days in the U.S.
- Thanksgiving date: In 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt moved Thanksgiving up a week to lengthen the Christmas shopping season and boost the economy.
Thanksgiving is an important holiday that brings families and friends together to celebrate, remember, and give thanks. Many of us have grown up with traditions surrounding Thanksgiving, but what do we really know about the holiday?
Here is a look at some of the fun facts about Thanksgiving that you may not know. From the original celebration in 1621 to the first official proclamation by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863, there are many fun facts about this traditional American holiday that make it even more special. Now,what are some fun facts about thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving Fun Facts.
Thanksgiving is a time for families to come together and celebrate the harvest season, but there are many fun facts about this holiday that many people may not know. For starters, the first Thanksgiving feast was held in 1621 in Plymouth Colony and lasted three days.
This feast was attended by over 90 Native Americans from the Wampanoag tribe who shared their bounty of five deer with English settlers. It was decided during this feast that an annual Thanksgiving celebration should be held each year, which has become an American tradition today.
Another fun fact about Thanksgiving is that it wasn’t made a national holiday until 1863 when President Abraham Lincoln declared it as such during the Civil War. He hoped it would provide a moment of peace and hope amidst all of the strife of wartime.
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Pilgrims: Origins of Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving is a day of celebration and gratitude for many Americans. Even though we don’t typically think about it, the origins of Thanksgiving are rooted in the arrival of pilgrims to Plymouth Rock. It’s filled with fun facts about this special day.
The first Thanksgiving feast was held at Plymouth Colony, Massachusetts in 1621 and lasted 3 days! At that time, 90 Native Americans and around 50 Pilgrims had gathered there to share food and celebrate their safe landing before beginning a new life in America.
The meal they enjoyed consisted of venison, goose, duck, eels, clams, lobster, corn breads and fruits all supplied by the native people who were familiar with the land and shared their knowledge with the newcomers.
This amazing display of hospitality has since become an important part of our nation’s heritage that we recognize today through thanksgiving festivities.
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Food Traditions: Turkeys and Pumpkin Pie.
Thanksgiving is a traditional holiday celebrated in the United States, full of family, food, and fun. It is also full of interesting facts about the origins of this beloved holiday. Here are some fun facts about Thanksgiving that may surprise you!
The first Thanksgiving was not a feast for friends and family, but rather a three-day celebration to thank God for surviving the winter. In 1621, Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn harvest feast that is acknowledged today as one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations in America.
Another fascinating fact is that turkey was not even served at the first Thanksgiving dinner! Instead they feasted on seafood such as lobster, clams and cod as well as deer meat and other wild game. Cranberries were served too; but no pumpkin pies!
Presidential Pardons.
Thanksgiving is one of the most celebrated holidays in the United States, and a major part of this holiday is the presidential pardon that is granted to a turkey. This tradition dates back to 1947 when President Truman first pardoned a bird, however, it wasn’t until 1989 that President George HW Bush made it an official practice.
This fun fact about Thanksgiving demonstrates how far this country has come and encapsulates what this holiday is really all about: showing kindness and giving thanks.
The pardoned birds are typically bred for consuming purposes, but instead of being killed for human consumption as would normally be the case; these turkeys are sent to live out their lives in peace at places such as petting zoos or farms. As a result of their reprieve from death, they have become quite popular with children who visit these facilities on field trips.
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Parades: Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Thanksgiving is one of the most celebrated holidays in the United States, and a major part of this holiday is the presidential pardon that is granted to a turkey. This tradition dates back to 1947 when President Truman first pardoned a bird, however, it wasn’t until 1989 that President George HW Bush made it an official practice.
This fun fact about Thanksgiving demonstrates how far this country has come and encapsulates what this holiday is really all about: showing kindness and giving thanks.
The pardoned birds are typically bred for consuming purposes, but instead of being killed for human consumption as would normally be the case; these turkeys are sent to live out their lives in peace at places such as petting zoos or farms. As a result of their reprieve from death, they have become quite popular with children who visit these facilities on field trips.
Charitable Giving.
Charitable giving is an important part of Thanksgiving, and there are many fun facts that surround the topic. For example, Americans donate more money to charity during the holidays than any other time of year. In addition, in 2020 charitable giving was up by an impressive 40% according to a report by The Philanthropy Roundtable.
This increase came despite the fact that many people experienced financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Not only does philanthropic giving make a positive impact on our world, but it also brings us closer together as a community during this special holiday season.
Another fun fact about Thanksgiving related to charitable giving is that each year volunteers across America prepare 2 million meals for those in need.
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Interesting Variations.
Thanksgiving is a day of celebration and a chance to give thanks for all of the wonderful things in life. However, did you know that there are some interesting variations of Thanksgiving celebrations around the world? From unique dishes to unusual traditions, here are some fun facts about Thanksgiving that may surprise you.
In Japan, KFC is a popular choice for celebrating Thanksgiving as it was introduced by an American expat who was homesick for the holiday.
There, fried chicken and wine are typical eats accompanied by some traditional Japanese dishes like maki sushi or miso soup. Another interesting twist on Thanksgiving can be found in South Africa where it is known as “Braaivleis” instead.
Modern Celebrations.
Thanksgiving is one of the most well-known modern celebrations in the United States. Every year on the fourth Thursday of November, Americans gather around a dinner table with friends and family to express their gratitude for all that they have.
To add to the festivities, here are some fun facts about Thanksgiving: it was first celebrated in Plymouth Colony in 1621; nearly 90% of Americans eat turkey as part of their Thanksgiving dinner; and Black Friday was originally coined as a way to mark the kickoff of Christmas shopping season.
In addition to giving thanks, another exciting element of modern Thanksgiving celebrations is its historical roots. Its original purpose was for colonists and Native Americans to come together in peace after fighting during King Philip’s War.
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Football Games: The NFL.
Football games have become a staple of the Thanksgiving holiday. The first NFL game on Thanksgiving was held in Detroit, Michigan on November 22, 1934 between the Lions and Chicago Bears.
From then on, football games have been a part of Thanksgiving tradition. Every year, millions of people tune into the classic matchup between the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys which has been going strong since 1966.
In addition to being an integral part of modern-day celebrations, there are some fun facts about football and Thanksgiving that many people do not know. For instance, did you know that before it became a popular holiday event; baseball was actually the most commonly televised sport during the day?
It wasn’t until 1958 when CBS began televising football games with color commentary that fans started tuning in for this yearly tradition. And speaking of traditions, did you know that one team is always featured each year?
What is Thanksgiving in the Bible?
Thanksgiving is a beloved holiday that many people in the United States honor each year. Those who follow the Bible will be interested to learn that Thanksgiving has its roots in scripture. In fact, there are several fun facts about Thanksgiving from the Bible that make it even more special and meaningful for believers.
First of all, one of the earliest celebrations of Thanksgiving was done by King Solomon on behalf of his Temple dedication. It is written in 1 Kings 8:62-66, “At the time of sacrifice…all Israel with him, a great congregation…and they ate and drank before God” (KJV).
This ancient act showed joy and thankfulness to God for His blessing, which gave us an example of how to express gratitude during this season. Another fascinating Biblical fact related to Thanksgiving is that Jesus practiced it himself!
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Conclusion: Why Thanksgiving Matters.
In conclusion,Thanksgiving is an important holiday that has been celebrated in the United States for centuries. It not only brings families together and allows us to take a pause from our busy lives, but it also serves as a reminder of the importance of gratitude, generosity and kindness.
Thanksgiving gives us an opportunity to give back to our community and appreciate what we have in life. This holiday should be remembered for its importance in uniting people through shared values of gratitude and appreciation.
I am an accomplished author at Fact Finders Company LLC, a renowned publishing house based in New York City. With a passion for research and a talent for writing, I have contributed to numerous non-fiction titles that explore a wide range of topics, from politics and history to science and technology. My work has been widely praised for its accuracy, clarity, and engaging style. Nice Reading here at Fact After Fact.
