Thanksgiving Traditions

Thanksgiving: the holiday filled with blessings and food. A special day that almost everyone knows and loves. The tradition of Thanksgiving began in the 1600s. It is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November – a time when family and friends can enjoy a meal and football together.

In 1621, the Colonial Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Indians convened at Plymouth for a celebration, also known as “America’s first Thanksgiving.” They celebrated, upon their arrival into the New World, after their first harvest. 

The pilgrims and Indians brought an abundance of food and feasted on the bounty that they had reaped. Their meal consisted of a variety of meat (mostly Turkey), fruits and vegetables, fish/shellfish, potatoes, and pumpkin pie. The typical Thanksgiving meal today still looks very similar, but people nowadays have spiced things up a little by putting their own personal twist on it.

Thanksgiving traditions vary based on the family, but they all have a similar goal: to be thankful for the people and things in our lives. “My traditions are always watching the Thanksgiving Day Parade on TV, eating as much food as I possibly can, breaking the wishbone, and watching football,” said senior Mason Brown. 

Junior Molly Collier said, “We always go to my cousin’s house in Richmond and spend Thanksgiving with my dad’s side of the family. We spend the day catching up, eating, watching football, and napping.” Overall, Thanksgiving is a holiday that brings loved ones together for food, football, and fun!