“
Thanksgiving” also known as “Turkey Day” is observed primarily in Canada and United States. Though it’s a celebration of being thankful for what one has , it is basically a
Harvest Festival , just like Pongal which is a
celebrated in the Southern part of India. The first Thanksgiving was suppose to have taken place in 1621, at Plymouth, immediately the first harvest of the Wampanaog Indians (which means
people of dawn because they lived in the east ) and the Pilgrims (english settlers) celebrated this harvest season for three
days. For three days they entertained and feasted and thanked God or the creator “ Kiehtan” for good harvests. They believed that corn-their most valued food , was a gift from Kiehtan. According to various historians the thanksgiving dinner included primarily of Turkey(that explains the “Turkey Day”) , Cranberry Sauce and seasononal waterfowls such as ducks and geese. The tradition was later repeated as and when the people felt like thanking God , after a disaster, to celebrate good harvest or to unite people. There was no fixed date for it as yet. While eminent presidents like George Washington , Lincoln, Ronald Regan proclaimed thanksgiving days from
time to time at least once a year to make the Nation thankful to the grace of God, in 1941 the U.S congress established that the Thanksgiving would occur annually on the Fourth Thursday of November, and the then President Franklin D Roosevelt signed this on Nov 26 into U.S. law . Since then it is celebration on the fourth Thursday of Nov every year. But in Canada it is celebrated on the second Monday of October . The present
Day celebration generally includes parades of moving stands also known as “floats” of scenes from Broadway Plays, Cartoon Characters & TV personalities& Santa Claus, spending quality time with family , eating large dinners and Football. From the shopping point of view , the Christmas shopping seasons onsets when the Thanksgiving ends.The concept of Thanksgiving in U.S.A can be seen all around the world in different forms . While in China, “August Moon Festival” is celebrated with Moon Cake, in Rome “Cerelia” is celebrated to thank their deity Ceres ( Goddess of Corn). Enamourned by the Concept, the Ambassador of Brazil brought home the tradition of Thanksgiving. Korea celebrates “Chu-sok” on 15th of August with a rice preparation called “Songpyon” , similar to the “Pongal “of India where it is celebrated in Southern parts of India on 14th January every year. Pongal is in fact a name derived from a preparation of rice that is offered to the Gods on the day to show their gratitude to their Gods.
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