” Happy Thanksgiving Day! “
When I sent out this message to my friends, some of them responding, some were not and some of them replied, “What’s Thanksgiving Day?”.
Well, as I know, that’s all about giving thanks for the past whole year before Christmas and New Year approaching. And…TURKEY day!! Often we make it as the day’s joke. 🙂 But, actually, it is not as simple as that. There is an interesting history behind the day.
” Thanksgiving Day is an annual holiday celebrating the harvest and other blessings of the past year. Historically, thanks have been directed towards God, accompanied by feasting and prayer. Thanksgiving is a legal holiday celebrated each year on the second Monday of October in Canada and on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States.
Thanksgiving in North America had originated from a mix of European and Native traditions. Typically in Europe, festivals were held before and after the harvest cycles to give thanks for a good harvest, and to rejoice together after much hard work with the rest of the community. At the time, Native Americans had also celebrated the end of a harvest season. When Europeans first arrived in the Americas, they brought with them their own harvest festival traditions from Europe, celebrating their safe voyage, peace and good harvest. “
[Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia]
Though we may not be staying in the country who annually celebrate it, but we may take it as a special day where we give thanks for all the past years. For everything! 🙂 Especially, in our busy daily life, sometimes, we may find it hard to think clearly and count our blessings. AND, for me, it is also a day where I shall start counting down towards Christmas Day! Yipeee…! 😀
Btw, what do turkeys do with Thanksgiving Day?
From my research, there are lots of interesting stories behind the turkey being Thanksgivings most important dish. One is that Queen Elizabeth was celebrating a Fall Harvest and celebrated with a baked goose as this was considered a delicacy and a celebration indeed. Upon hearing that the Spanish Armada had sunk as it was on its way to attack England the Queen was so pleased with the news that she ordered an additional roast goose. Englanders were so accustomed to roast goose being associated with celebrations and that was what they would have celebrated with had the New Colony been full of wild geese. But, this was not the case and wild turkeys were much more plentiful. So, as they started a new life they also started a new tradition of serving turkey on days of celebration and giving thanks.
Yesterday my brother told me that he bought a turkey for thanksgiving day for $33. I can’t remember what is the weigh, but definitely, it’s big. Anyway, I thank God for having a wonderful family and friends around me. Though there were many up and downs for the past one year but blessings were added to me each time I overcame it. That’s why my featured photo is my family! 🙂 Too bad, my eyes were blinked in the photo. Haha..
So, have you counted your blessings for the past year or past years? If you have not done yet, let’s count! Wish everyone have a happy & blessed Thanksgiving Day! 🙂
Enjoy!
