Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a national holiday celebrated in the United States, Canada, Liberia, Saint Lucia, and Norfolk Island, marked by gatherings and feasts in October or November. Rooted in harvest traditions, it is a time for expressing gratitude for the year's blessings and sharing food with family and friends.

• Celebrated in the US, Canada, Liberia, Saint Lucia, and Norfolk Island
• Rooted in harvest festivals and traditions of giving thanks
• The US celebrates on the fourth Thursday in November
• Canada observes Thanksgiving on the second Monday in October
• The meal often features turkey and seasonal dishes

What it is

Thanksgiving is a holiday where people come together to express gratitude for the harvest and the good things in their lives. It is widely observed in the United States, Canada, Liberia, Saint Lucia, and Norfolk Island, with each country celebrating on its own date in autumn. The day centers around sharing a meal, often with family and friends, and reflecting on the past year’s fortunes. While its origins are tied to religious and cultural practices, today Thanksgiving is largely a secular occasion, valued for its sense of togetherness and appreciation.

Where it comes from

The roots of Thanksgiving lie in English and European traditions of giving thanks after the harvest, which were brought to North America by settlers. In Canada, early celebrations are traced to English explorer Martin Frobisher’s 1578 voyage and to French settlers’ harvest feasts in the 17th century. In the United States, various thanksgiving observances were held in the early colonies, notably in Virginia in 1619 and Plymouth in 1621, though the modern holiday developed over centuries. The holiday’s evolution reflects a blend of religious, cultural, and civic influences, with official proclamations and shifting dates before settling into the current form.

How it is celebrated

Thanksgiving is most often celebrated with a large meal shared among family and friends. The centerpiece is usually a roast turkey, accompanied by dishes like stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie, though menus vary by region and family tradition. The day is also marked by expressions of gratitude, whether through prayers, toasts, or simply sharing what people are thankful for. In the United States, parades and football games are common, while in Canada and other countries, the focus remains on the meal and time together. The holiday is a time for reconnecting, welcoming newcomers, and sharing abundance with others.

Joining in

Visitors can experience Thanksgiving most vividly in the United States on the fourth Thursday of November, or in Canada on the second Monday of October. While it is primarily a family holiday, many communities host public meals or invite newcomers to join in the festivities. Expect a warm, relaxed atmosphere centered on food and conversation, with many towns holding parades or local events. Shops and businesses may close, and travel is busy as people gather with loved ones. If invited to a Thanksgiving meal, bringing a dish or dessert is a thoughtful gesture.

In the news

• Anthropic Targets Mega-IPO Before Thanksgiving HolidayBloomberg.com
• 2026 holiday travel: Thanksgiving, Christmas airfares reach highest prices in a decadeLiveNOW from FOX
• LETTER: Help your neighbors this Thanksgiving seasonmarbleheadcurrent.org
• Lanakila Pacific holiday meals to return for Thanksgiving, ChristmasHawaii News Now
• It’s that time of year again! This Thanksgiving Day, Sheriff Michelle M. Woodfork will celebrate her first Thanksgiving as Sheriff of Orleans Parish by continuing a beloved OPSO tradition — the 52nd Annual Thanksgiving Celebration. Hosted bfacebook.com

Sources and attribution

This page is Mela's own summary, written in new words. Its facts are drawn from the Wikipedia article Thanksgiving, whose text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Each photo is credited to its author beside it, and news headlines link to their publishers. For the full account, read the originals below.

Read more

• Thanksgiving on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Encyclopaedia BritannicaArticle
• Thanksgiving travel guide on WikivoyageTravel guide
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data

This page was written with AI assistance from the sources listed above, and checked automatically before publishing. Spotted a mistake? Tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-02.