Thanksgiving or 'Día de Acción de Gracias'
Thanksgiving is a holiday that features turkey as the main dish of the night. Talking about this festivity makes us think of the United States, as it is a tradition to celebrate it on the fourth Thursday of every November.
Did you ever think that it is an exclusive celebration of Americans? If so, we regret to inform you that you are mistaken, as this event has transcended over the years and has allowed the tradition to grow worldwide.
In that sense, we will tell you about its origin and in which countries this tradition was adopted, among other details.
The Origin of 'Thanksgiving'
According to modern tradition, the origin dates back to the beginning of 1620 in Plymouth, Massachusetts, United States. In that year, a ship called 'Mayflower' arrived from England to this locality and once there, the natives helped the English harvest the land.
In 1621, after a successful harvest, the governor of the colony organized a feast to invite those natives who had helped them to a meal as a show of gratitude, a tradition that became annual.
In Which Countries Was This Tradition Adopted?
Below is a list of the countries that celebrate Thanksgiving.
- United States: It is always celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November.
- Canada: This celebration takes place on the second Monday of October.
- Germany: It is one of the European countries that has a strong tradition to celebrate this day. This date is on the first Sunday of October.
- Japan: It is one of the few countries with a fixed date. In Japan, it is celebrated on November 23.
- Liberia: In this country, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the first Thursday of November.
- Grenada: The celebration takes place on October 25.
How is Thanksgiving Celebrated?
Thanksgiving is a family celebration, even in some countries it is more important than Christmas. People gather in their homes, where they prepare a banquet and the protagonist is the turkey. Before dinner, believers give thanks to God for the food.