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THANKSGIVING DAY (USA)

When is Thanksgiving Day (USA) in 2023?

Thanksgiving Day (USA) in 2023 is on the Thursday, 23rd of Nov (11/23/2023).

Thanksgiving Day (USA) is on the 327th day of 2023. There are 38 days left in the year.

Thanksgiving Day (USA) Facts

  • Date: Nov 23, 2023
  • National
  • Also Called: Harvest Festival
  • Celebrations: Family get together
Thanksgiving Day (USA) iImage Credit: Wikipedia

Thanksgiving Day bears its origin from the harvest festival. Generally, Americans give thanks to God for their autumn harvest and every other success they have achieved in the year. Thanksgiving Day in the US is observed on the fourth Thursday in November. The day was declared a federal holiday by Abraham Lincoln in 1863. It is also a day off to American workers.

Thanksgiving History

Thanksgiving Day origin dates back in the 16th century when the first Thanksgiving dinner took place in Texas.

According to historians, a sailing vessel called Mayflower crossed the Atlantic carrying about 102 pilgrims. The journey was arduous because of terrible storms in the sea. The passengers comforted themselves by singing.

After 66 days, they arrived in Plymouth and could not proceed to their initial intended destination, Virginia because of bad weather. In fact, about 46 pilgrims died in the cold winter. The survivors learned how to grow food from Squanto, a native Indian. However, a severe drought followed and the pilgrims dedicated themselves to fasting and praying to ask God for a bountiful harvest. Their prayers were answered by rains that grew their corn, beans and pumpkins.

In the autumn of 1621, Governor William Bradford organized a 3-day feast to thank God for his favors. Although there is no evidence provided, it is believed that this was the first Thanksgiving Day by the Pilgrims. In the following years, such events became quite common and were celebrated every year. On October 3, 1789, the first president of the United States, George Washington proclaimed the day of thanksgiving. The day was later declared a public holiday in 1863 by the then President Abraham Lincoln.

When Is Thanksgiving?

Americans observe Thanksgiving Day on the fourth Thursday of November every year. The day is usually preceded by the Black Friday. This makes an ideal time to start Christmas shopping. Why is Thanksgiving in November?

Thanksgiving Day falls on the first Thursday in the month of November. The day has been celebrated in November ever since the observance of this holiday began. In 1863 President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed for the day to be celebrated on the last Thursday of November. In 1939, President Roosevelt moved the day to the third Thursday of the month with intentions of prolonging the Christmas shopping season. Finally, the Congress passed it as law for the day to be observed on the fourth Thursday of November.

Which Food Is Eaten On Thanksgiving Day?

Turkey is the most common food served during the Thanksgiving Dinner. For this reason, Thanksgiving Day is also called the Turkey Day. American farmers raise millions of turkeys every year in preparation of the Thanksgiving Holiday. Other common meals on this day include potatoes, pumpkin pie, cranberry sauce and an assortment of vegetables. Why Thanksgiving is celebrated?

It is a day to thank God for a bountiful harvest in the preceding year. The day also appreciates the labor of all Americans in their various income generating activities and achievements as a nation. Families and friends meet to share and celebrate their milestones as well as their accomplishments.

How to Celebrate Thanksgiving Day?

The day is often full of pomp and color. It is a great time to exchange gifts with your loved ones and share beautiful Thanksgiving messages. If you would like to please your family and friends, get a special Thanksgiving menu and Turkey, potatoes and a variety of vegetables. If you are looking to travel out of town, you can attend Macy's Thanksgiving Parade in New York City and enjoy lively performances. Usually, the parades mark the official opening of Christmas shopping.

Thanksgiving Traditions

Although Thanksgiving Day has been observed for more than four centuries, its traditions continue to date. Family reunion and feasting are common as everyone offers prayers to God for His continuous grace. Thanksgiving ceremony is considered incomplete without turkey. Watching NFL football and playing Thanksgiving games such as scavenger hunt and picture puzzle is also a popular tradition on this day.

Thanksgiving Day (USA) Observances

DAY
DATE
HOLIDAY NAME
  • Thu
  • Nov 27, 2008
  • Thu
  • Nov 26, 2009
  • Thu
  • Nov 25, 2010
  • Thu
  • Nov 24, 2011
  • Thu
  • Nov 22, 2012

List of National and Regional Public Holidays of United States in 2023

DAYDATEHOLIDAY
SundaySunJan 01, 2023Jan 01New Year's Day
MondayMonJan 02, 2023Jan 02New Year's Day Holiday
MondayMonJan 16, 2023Jan 16M L King Day
MondayMonFeb 20, 2023Feb 20Presidents' Day
FridayFriApr 07, 2023Apr 07Good Friday
SundaySunApr 09, 2023Apr 09Easter Sunday
MondayMonMay 29, 2023May 29Memorial Day
MondayMonJun 19, 2023Jun 19Juneteenth
TuesdayTueJul 04, 2023Jul 04Independence Day
MondayMonSep 04, 2023Sep 04Labor Day
MondayMonOct 09, 2023Oct 09Columbus Day
SaturdaySatNov 11, 2023Nov 11Veterans Day
ThursdayThuNov 23, 2023Nov 23Thanksgiving Day
MondayMonDec 25, 2023Dec 25Christmas

List of Popular Celebration Days of United States in 2023

DAYDATEHOLIDAY
ThursdayThuJan 12, 2023Jan 12National Pharmacists Day
ThursdayThuJan 19, 2023Jan 19National Popcorn Day
WednesdayWedFeb 01, 2023Feb 01National Signing Day
ThursdayThuFeb 02, 2023Feb 02Groundhog Day
FridayFriFeb 03, 2023Feb 03National Wear Red Day
ThursdayThuFeb 09, 2023Feb 09National Pizza Day
MondayMonFeb 13, 2023Feb 13Galentine's Day
TuesdayTueFeb 14, 2023Feb 14Valentine's Day
WednesdayWedFeb 15, 2023Feb 15National Bagel Day
SaturdaySatFeb 18, 2023Feb 18National Drink Wine Day
TuesdayTueFeb 21, 2023Feb 21National Pancake Day
WednesdayWedFeb 22, 2023Feb 22National Margarita Day
FridayFriMar 03, 2023Mar 03National Employee Appreciation Day
TuesdayTueMar 07, 2023Mar 07National Cereal Day
SundaySunMar 12, 2023Mar 12Daylight savings
MondayMonMar 13, 2023Mar 13National Napping Day
TuesdayTueMar 14, 2023Mar 14National Walkout Day
TuesdayTueMar 14, 2023Mar 14National Pi Day
MondayMonMar 20, 2023Mar 20National Proposal Day
ThursdayThuMar 23, 2023Mar 23National Puppy Day
ThursdayThuMar 30, 2023Mar 30National Doctor Day
WednesdayWedApr 05, 2023Apr 05National Walking Day
ThursdayThuApr 06, 2023Apr 06National Burrito Day
FridayFriApr 07, 2023Apr 07National Beer Day
TuesdayTueApr 11, 2023Apr 11National Pet Day
WednesdayWedApr 12, 2023Apr 12National Grilled Cheese Day
ThursdayThuMay 04, 2023May 04National Day Of Prayer
SundaySunMay 14, 2023May 14Mother's Day
ThursdayThuMay 25, 2023May 25National Towel Day
ThursdayThuMay 25, 2023May 25National Wine Day
FridayFriJun 02, 2023Jun 02National Donut Day
ThursdayThuJun 08, 2023Jun 08National Best Friends Day
SundaySunJun 18, 2023Jun 18Father's Day
WednesdayWedJun 21, 2023Jun 21National Selfie Day
ThursdayThuJun 22, 2023Jun 22National Kissing Day
TuesdayTueJul 11, 2023Jul 11Amazon Prime Day
ThursdayThuJul 13, 2023Jul 13National French Fry Day
FridayFriJul 14, 2023Jul 14National Nude Day
SundaySunJul 16, 2023Jul 16National Ice Cream Day
WednesdayWedJul 19, 2023Jul 19National Hot Dog Day
MondayMonJul 24, 2023Jul 24National Tequila Day
SaturdaySatJul 29, 2023Jul 29National Chicken Wing Day
TuesdayTueAug 01, 2023Aug 01National Girlfriends Day
SundaySunAug 06, 2023Aug 06National Sister Day
MondayMonSep 18, 2023Sep 18National Cheeseburger Day
TuesdayTueOct 03, 2023Oct 03National Boyfriends Day
WednesdayWedOct 04, 2023Oct 04National Vodka Day
WednesdayWedOct 04, 2023Oct 04National Taco Day
MondayMonOct 09, 2023Oct 09Leif Erikson Day
SaturdaySatOct 21, 2023Oct 21Sweetest Day
SundaySunOct 29, 2023Oct 29National Cat Day
TuesdayTueOct 31, 2023Oct 31Halloween
FridayFriNov 03, 2023Nov 03National Sandwich Day
FridayFriNov 24, 2023Nov 24Black Friday
MondayMonNov 27, 2023Nov 27Cyber Monday
SaturdaySatDec 02, 2023Dec 02Candle Day
SaturdaySatDec 09, 2023Dec 09National Pastry Day
FridayFriDec 15, 2023Dec 15National Ugly Sweater day