Thanksgiving Festivities: Then and Now

People across the United States are celebrating Thanksgiving by continuing the tradition of getting together at home or at a close relative’s house on Nov. 22, to eat large amounts of food, play games, and decorate.

This holiday first started in 1863 when Abraham Lincoln proclaimed the national Thanksgiving Day to be held each November. The first Thanksgiving dinner was shared by a feast with the Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Indians. At the time the main holiday’s purpose is to give thanks and praise to god. 

Many people celebrate this holiday by generally doing the same activities such as eating turkey, mashed potatoes, squash, cranberries, rolls and pie served with some apple cider on the side. Another activity families are beginning to do that they never used to in the colonial days is watching NFL games.

I went around Whitnall High School and asked a few students what they would be doing on Thanksgiving Day. Lindsey Crowe, Whitnall senior, shares, “I’m spending Thanksgiving in Madison where my dad’s family lives.”

Senior Sarah Arteaga said, “I’ll be going downtown at night to look at the holiday lights and beforehand eat the typical Thanksgiving meal then play board games with both my parent’s immediate family.”

Thanksgiving is a time to get together with family to eat as much as you possibly can and also appreciate the hours spent cooking the day before. If you are religious you will be giving thanks to God for what he has given you and your family.

Whatever your reason you have for celebrating Thanksgiving it’s important to treasure the moments spent with your family and enjoy every second.