what is the origin of thanksgiving?
952438
THe pilgrims and the indians. GEEZ watch pocahontas.
804104
Well, in my family we have a huge amount of vegetarians, so in order to make something for them we usually do something along the lines of stuffed eggplant or a vegetarian lasagnia.  Both of which turn out excellent and everyone can enjoy them.  Recipes for those can be found at numerous cooking sites.\n\nOr\n\nThe other half of my family doesn't follow the traditional thanksgiving, because none of them like turkey.  So we created our own tradition.  Thanksgiving day, we order a huge amount of chinese food to go, we usually blow about $300-400.  We open up all the boxes on the table and just pass em around.  It's really a lot more fun and less depressing than it sounds.  Best of luck...
894573
Thanksgiving is a religious holiday that is in a special category.  It isn't a Biblical holiday, but it isn't specifically the holiday of another religion either.  The Orthodox often don't celebrate it specifically, but many others do.\n\nThe origins of Thanksgiving were from Christians who wanted to imitate the Jewish Feast of Sukkot, so from that perspective there are some Jewish concepts behind it - but we already have Sukkot just a month earlier.\n\nGiving thanks is very important in Judaism.  We bless the food before we eat and we say Birchot HaMazon (Grace After Meals), while most Christians only bless before meals.  There is much more prayer that occurs every day in Judaism so giving thanks is not restricted just to Thanksgiving.
781305
Does 'nt the word holiday originate from Holy Day. What English people call a holiday (as in seaside) the Americans call a vacation.So calling Christmas a holiday seems ok to me.
836004
Thanksgiving is always the 4th Thursday of November\nthis year it is Nov 23
835818
Well, my kids hate turkey. So, one year, I had a Chinese Thanksgiving and made all Chinese food. They loved it. The year after that...we all had Arby's. That was pretty dang good too! It doesn't matter what food is served, as long as the meaning of Thanksgiving is there.
518720
Even though not all Americans are Christians and Thanksgiving can be celebrated by any religion or non religion, Christmas is still wildly more popular than Thanksgiving in the US. Thanksgiving happens to be my favorite holiday because it is not as commercial as Christmas or the other holidays and it is all about family. I come from a large family and we have wonderful Thanksgivings. Also, I love turkey and pecan pie and broccoli casserole and spinach dip and stuffing and bread rolls with real butter and on and on and on. \n\nHave you ever celebrated Thanksgiving? I live abroad and I've missed many other holidays, but I've never let Thanksgiving go by without celebrating it with my friends. It is TOTALLY appropriate to the spirit of Thanksgiving to celebrate it with people who know nothing about the day. I love introducing my traditions to my new friends around the world.
725825
It's about giving Thanks for the things we have. To be cherful and be together with family and friends. To share what we have with other's who do not have so much. It's about the feeling you get when you help some one out of troubles. It's when you feel the love that comes from spreading the cheers. That is what Thanksgiving is all about.
760065
It's about the Pilgrims and Indians celebrating the first harvest.\n\n"According to historical sources, the Pilgrims never held an autumnal Thanksgiving feast. The Pilgrims did have a feast in 1621 near Plymouth, Massachusetts, after their first harvest. This is the feast people often refer to as "The First Thanksgiving." This feast was never repeated, so it can't be called the start of a tradition, nor did the colonists or Pilgrims call it a Thanksgiving Feast. In fact, to these devoutly religious people, a day of thanksgiving was a day of prayer and fasting. \n\nNevertheless, the 1621 feast has become a model for the Thanksgiving celebration in the United States. More than likely, this first harvest feast was eaten outside, based on the fact that the colonists didn't have a building large enough to accommodate all the people who came. Native Americans definitely were among the invited guests, and it's possible, even probable, that turkey (roasted but not stuffed) and pumpkin in some form found their way to the table."
423887
Holidays are celebrations of past events.  They give us a chance to do all the traditional things passed down year after year after that special past event.\n\nExamples: Christmas is a celebration of Christ's birth, Easter is a celebration of Christ's resurrection, Thanksgiving is a celebration of the Pilgrims' and Native Americans' first thanksgiving meal, President's day is a celebration of the lives of great presidents, Independence day is the celebration of American independence, etc.
885267
there are two thanksgivings in the americas.  canada celebrates theirs in october & we, in the usa celebrate ours on the third thursday of each november.  the friday following thanksgiving is almost as famous, known as 'black friday'.  it's the shopping day of the year but that's another story.  the origin of thanksgiving goes back to the very early 1600s when the english colonists came to america with the barest of necessities and had to make it through a very harsh, cold winter.  if it wasn't for the help of the native americans, the narragansett (i believe), the settlers would've died. the natives  supplied the yams, wild turkeys, corn & showed to the settlers not only the native foods to eat but how to prepare them.  a giant feast was held with native americans & colonists in attendance.  it was a splendid  beginning but alas, not to last.  sad to say but within 20 years, both sides were at war.  the colonists came to america with the idea of land ownership & the natives couldn't understand that.  land, to them, was something to share.  anyway, you asked & that's the real story.  i personally feel of all the american holidays, thanksgiving is the greatest.  it still signifies sharing, friends, food & giving.  nothing is really asked of you except to come to the table & give of yourself without asking for anything back. neat, eh?
780256
It is a way of showing how greatful and happy we are, for all the good food that has just been brought in from the fields, that has been grown and harvested.\n\nAnd greatful for our friends and families, where we live.\n\nWhen it began it celebrated the Pilgrims landing on Plymouth Rock and having this good meal with the Native Americans, who showed them how to cook and prepare foods in this New World we call America.\n\nIt was also to be greatful to a higher power, but I think we have forgotten that.  I hope not. That is up to each individual choice.
748135
November 1 is All Saints Day or All Hallows Day, a religious holiday.  Halloween (Hallow's Eve) is technically just the night before.\n\nThe Halloween tradition comes from the Celts.  It was a holiday called Samhain, All Hallowtide, signaling the close of harvest and the initiation of the winter season.\n\nTrick or treat came from the idea of fairies, which the Celts believed were mischievous.   Many of the people would imitate the fairies and go from house to house begging for treats. Failure to supply the treats would usually result in practical jokes being visited on the owner of the house. Since the fairies were abroad on this night, an offering of food or milk was frequently left for them on the steps of the house, so the homeowner could gain the blessings of the "good folk" for the coming year.
859497
You mean, the story behind Thanksgiving?\n\nRead below.\n\nIf you're trying to explain it to younger kids, there's a simple-English version of the same page.  I've linked to it as well.
869380
I celebrate thanksgiving to \n1. Spend time with my family\n2. To look back at my life and realize how lucky I am to be able to have a feast every year while some people are scrounging for food.\n3. To give thanks for what I have and to pray that, at least that one day, The people who aren't as lucky find some hapiness
240
Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving on the 2nd Monday of October.\n\n"The farmers in Europe held celebrations at harvest time. They filled a curved goat's horn with fruit and grain to give thanks for their good fortune and the abundance of food. They brought this tradition when they came to Canada.\n\nDuring the American Revolution, Americans who remained loyal to England moved to Canada where they brought the customs and practices of the American Thanksgiving to Canada."\n\nMore information about the history of Canadian Thanksgiving:\n\nhttp://www.geocities.com/ouravonlea/canadian-thanksgiving.html
253270
Thanksgiving is my personal favorite because it has that "Ahh, the whole family is here together!" feeling but isn't over-commercialized like Christmas. It also has a great theme that seems to bring out the good in people. Plus, boy do I love turkey! ...and pumkin pie...and turkey sandwich leftovers...YUM!