Thanksgiving 2024: After the Halloween season and before the Christmas festivities take over, there’s another holiday that brings friends and family together to enjoy festive meals, spend time together and give thanks for blessings. We’re talking about Thanksgiving. It is a national holiday in the United States. As you and your loved ones celebrate the festival, here’s everything you need to know about it.

Thanksgiving 2024: Date

Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November. This year it falls on November 28th.

Thanksgiving 2024: History and Meaning

For a long time, the origins of Thanksgiving were never accurately portrayed. Still, many see the day as an opportunity to enjoy the company of their loved ones and show gratitude. The festival is also synonymous with football games, good food and the famous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Traditionally, farmers thanked God for their fall harvest on Thanksgiving Day.

The festival’s origins date back to 1621, when a harvest festival was held between a Native American tribe – the Wampanoag – who had long occupied the land, and English colonists newly settled in America. It is also a story often told from the perspective of the white pilgrim.

(Also read | What makes Thanksgiving special and how to celebrate it?)

However, it was not until 1863 that it became a national holiday. In 1789, President George Washington declared Thursday, November 26, a day of public Thanksgiving. According to the White House, it was the first time Thanksgiving was celebrated under the new constitution. Later, in 1863, Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a holiday and a day off for employees.

While Americans celebrate the holiday with joy, Native Americans and Alaska Natives believe the holiday obscures the true history of oppression and bloodshed.

Thanksgiving 2024: How will it be celebrated?

On Thanksgiving Day, loved ones gather under one roof to enjoy a hearty meal, play games and have fun. In popular culture, people living outside of their families celebrate “Friendsgiving” – a Thanksgiving feast – with their found family on the fourth Thursday of November. Pumpkin pie, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, stuffing, and roasted turkey are among the main dishes at Thanksgiving. Other customs of the day include watching the Thanksgiving parades, particularly the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade.