Thanksgiving Day Festivities

 

Thanksgiving Day Holiday

Thanksgiving day is an annual national holiday celebrated in the United States and Canada giving thanks for the season's harvest and blessing bestowed of the year.  Americans believe that their Thanksgiving is modeled on the 1621 harvest feast shared by English colonists referred to as the Pilgrims of Plymouth and the Wampanoag people.  The American holiday is rich in tradition and symbolism of the day, sharing a meal with family and friends commemorating with a Thanksgiving meal including turkey, bread stuffing, corn bread, potatoes, cranberries and pumpkin pie for dessert.  Thanksgiving holiday travel is often the busiest time of the year as families gather to feast on a traditional classic meal complete with festive desserts.  Plymouth’s Thanksgiving began with a few colonists going out fowling probably for turkey but more likely for the ducks and geese that could serve company for one week. 

The Wampanoag people made a surprise appearance at the settlers gate unnerving 50 or more colonists with their visit.  Over the next few days the two groups socialized without incident.  The Wampanoag people contributed venison, fish, stews, shellfish, vegetables and beer.  Plymouth had few buildings and manufactured goods of the day as most people ate outside sitting on the ground or on barrels with plates on their lap.  The men celebrated the feast firing guns, drank liquor and ran races all while struggling to speak in broken English and Wampanoag languages. This was a disorderly event but it sealed a treaty between the two groups that lasted until King Philip’s War of 1675-1676 in which hundreds of colonists and thousands of Native Americans lost their lives.  The New England colonists grew accustomed to regularly celebrating Thanksgiving days of prayer for the blessings of the year including military victory or the end of a season's drought. 

The U.S. Continental congress proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day upon the enactment of the Constitution,  In 1798 the new U.S. Congress left Thanksgiving declarations to the states as some objected to the national government involvement of religious observance. Southerners were slow to adopt New England customs and others took offense of the day being used to partisan speeches and parades.  Thanksgiving day did not become an official holiday until Northerners dominated the federal government as sectional tentations prevailed in the 19th mid century as the editor of the popular magazine Godey’s Lady's book by Sarah Josepha Hale campaigned for a National Thanksgiving day to promote unity.  She finally won the support of President Abraham Lincoln.  On October 23, 1863. Lincoln proclaimed a national day of thanksgiving to be celebrated on Thursday November 26 of each year. 

The holiday was proclaimed by each following president thereafter and the date chosen with few exceptions was the last Thursday in November.  President Franklin D. Roosevelt attempted to extend the Christmas shopping season which begins with the Thanksgiving holiday to boost the economy by moving the date back one week to the third week in November however not all states compiled a joint resolution of Congress in 1941.  Roosevelt issued a proclamation in 1942 designating the fourth Thursday in November Thanksgiving Day.  Lite Thanksgiving side dishes pair flavors as seasonal favorites during the holiday season with rustic sides prepared to perfection reduces calories while still enjoying your feast.

Thanksgiving is a national holiday in the United States on November 23, 2023 celebrating the harvest and other blessings of the year.

The American holiday is rich in symbolism of the traditional fair of Thanksgiving of a meal complete with turkey entree, at least 3  side dishes including bread stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, desserts and beverages. According to AAA 55.4 million people are expected to travel more than 50 miles from home over Thanksgiving holiday.  Thanksgiving dinner is a time to feast with others celebrating with a delicious meal made with an entree of choice including turkey, beef, fish, chicken paired with savory side dishes that are sure to please. Lite Thanksgiving Ideas prevail as healthy low calorie side dishes are delicious options for your next dinner party with complimenting flavors in every dish. Mashed potatoes with olive oil spread and a drizzle of turkey au jus gravy is the perfect thanksgiving side dish served during the holidays. According to the Calorie Control Council,  the average American will consume between 3,000 to 4,500 calories in one Thanksgiving meal including a traditional menu for entree, side dishes and desserts. 

Unfortunately the average person gains 7 to 10 pounds between Thanksgiving and Christmas as people enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving menu packed with tempting treats.  Fortunately there are great ways to manage weight during the holiday season to help you avoid weight gain using delicious easy to prepare low calorie recipes and desserts.

Cheers!

Patricia Lynn

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