Thanksgiving day

The origin of the celebration

In September 1620, a small ship called the Mayflower left Plymouth, England, carrying 102 passengersan
assortment of religious separatists seeking a new home where they could freely practice their faith and other
individuals lured by the promise of prosperity and land ownership in the New World. After a dangerous and long
journey they crossed Massachusetts Bay, where the Pilgrims, as they are now commonly known, began the work
of establishing a village at Plymouth.
Throughout that first brutal winter, only half of the Mayflowers original passengers and crew lived to see their
first New England spring. In March, the remaining settlers moved ashore, where they received an astonishing
visit from the native american Squanto who taught the Pilgrims, weakened by malnutrition and illness, how to
cultivate corn, extract sap from maple trees, catch fish in the rivers and avoid poisonous plants. He also helped
the settlers forge an alliance with the Wampanoag, a local tribe, which would endure for more than 50 years and
tragically remains one of the sole examples of harmony between European colonists and Native Americans.
In November 1621, after the Pilgrims first corn harvest proved successful, Governor William Bradford
organized a celebratory feast and invited a group of the fledgling colonys Native American allies, including the
Wampanoag chief Massasoit. Now remembered as Americans first Thanksgivingalthough the Pilgrims
themselves may not have used the term at the timethe festival lasted for three days.
Today Thanksgiving is celebrated every year on the fourth Thursday of November. The month of November
comes in autumn, the main season for harvesting crops. Thanksgiving is an autumn harvest festival like those
found in many cultures.
Today the holiday is a time of family reunions, parades and watching football games on television. And, oh, yes,
food! For millions of Americans, Thanksgiving is a day spent cooking, eating and spending time together.
Some Americans travel long distances to be with their families. They eat a large dinner, which is the main part of
the celebration. For many people, Thanksgiving is the only time when all members of a family gather together.
The holiday is a time of family and family reunions.
The government says the Sunday after Thanksgiving is the busiest day of the year for long-distance travel. This
is when people usually return from gatherings.
Thanksgiving is all about family and food
The star of the Thanksgiving meal is the turkey!
Roasted turkey is the main dish in a traditional American Thanksgiving meal
This large bird roasts in the oven all morning. The smell of celery, onion and
herbs fill the house and makes everyone hungry.
Two traditional side dishes are mashed potatoes and sweet potato casseroles.
And there is another -- stuffing -- a bread-and-vegetable mixture that is
literally stuffed into the turkey and then baked.
While people cook the Thanksgiving meal and talk with family members and
friends, others might be watching American football games on television.
Two American traditions, Thanksgiving Day parade and football
Over the years, Americans have added this tradition to their Thanksgiving celebrations. A number of football
games are played on Thanksgiving Day.
Another tradition is the television broadcast of Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade.
The Spiderman balloon in Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York November 28, 2013.
The parade takes place every year in New York City. Employees of the
Macy's store on Herald Square organized the first parade in 1924. Many of
the workers were immigrants and wanted to hold a big parade like the ones in
Old World Europe. So they dressed in special costumes and borrowed some
animals from the zoo. They also carried small balloons that floated just
overhead.
And then sometime in the afternoon, the dinner table is set. It is time for what

everyone has been waiting for. Dinner is served!

Some families have more than one dinner table at Thanksgiving. Children may eat together at their own table.
Usually, the people who are invited to dinner belong to the same family. But anyone can bring a friend. In fact,
many Americans live far away from family members. So, getting together at Thanksgiving is not always
possible. Many people in this situation have a dinner party and invite their friends who are also without family
for the holidays.
Serving those less fortunate
It is important to remember that the United States is home to many poor and
homeless people. They cannot buy a Thanksgiving dinner or spend the
holiday with friends and family. All across the country, religious and service
organizations provide holiday meals for older adults, the homeless and the
poor.
Whether you are eating with family and friends or serving meals to the
homeless, Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks. Before the meal begins, it is
traditional for everyone to say a few words about what they are most thankful
for.

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Have you ever been to a festival somewhere?

Have you been to a festival recently?
Is it a music or a food festival?
When is it celebrated?
Whats your favourite religious celebration?
Does your family celebrate this holiday?
Are there special foods connected with the holiday?
Have you eaten any of these foods?
Do you or did you like the foods?
Is it strictly an Italian holiday?
What did you do last year?
What would you like to do next year?