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THANKSGIVING DAY (USA)

When is Thanksgiving Day (USA) in 2024?

Thanksgiving Day (USA) in 2024 is on the Thursday, 28th of Nov (11/28/2024).

Thanksgiving Day (USA) is on the 333th day of 2024. There are 33 days left in the year.

Thanksgiving Day (USA) Facts

  • Date: Nov 28, 2024
  • 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 2024

DAYDATEHOLIDAY
MondayMonJan 01, 2024Jan 01New Year's Day
MondayMonJan 15, 2024Jan 15M L King Day
MondayMonFeb 19, 2024Feb 19Presidents' Day
FridayFriMar 29, 2024Mar 29Good Friday
SundaySunMar 31, 2024Mar 31Easter Sunday
MondayMonMay 27, 2024May 27Memorial Day
WednesdayWedJun 19, 2024Jun 19Juneteenth
ThursdayThuJul 04, 2024Jul 04Independence Day
MondayMonSep 02, 2024Sep 02Labor Day
MondayMonOct 14, 2024Oct 14Columbus Day
MondayMonNov 11, 2024Nov 11Veterans Day
ThursdayThuNov 28, 2024Nov 28Thanksgiving Day
WednesdayWedDec 25, 2024Dec 25Christmas

List of Popular Celebration Days of United States in 2024

DAYDATEHOLIDAY
FridayFriJan 12, 2024Jan 12National Pharmacists Day
FridayFriJan 19, 2024Jan 19National Popcorn Day
FridayFriFeb 02, 2024Feb 02Groundhog Day
FridayFriFeb 02, 2024Feb 02National Wear Red Day
WednesdayWedFeb 07, 2024Feb 07National Signing Day
FridayFriFeb 09, 2024Feb 09National Pizza Day
TuesdayTueFeb 13, 2024Feb 13Galentine's Day
TuesdayTueFeb 13, 2024Feb 13National Pancake Day
WednesdayWedFeb 14, 2024Feb 14Valentine's Day
ThursdayThuFeb 15, 2024Feb 15National Bagel Day
SundaySunFeb 18, 2024Feb 18National Drink Wine Day
ThursdayThuFeb 22, 2024Feb 22National Margarita Day
ThursdayThuFeb 29, 2024Feb 29Leap Day
FridayFriMar 01, 2024Mar 01National Employee Appreciation Day
ThursdayThuMar 07, 2024Mar 07National Cereal Day
SundaySunMar 10, 2024Mar 10Daylight savings
MondayMonMar 11, 2024Mar 11National Napping Day
ThursdayThuMar 14, 2024Mar 14National Walkout Day
ThursdayThuMar 14, 2024Mar 14National Pi Day
WednesdayWedMar 20, 2024Mar 20National Proposal Day
SaturdaySatMar 23, 2024Mar 23National Puppy Day
SaturdaySatMar 30, 2024Mar 30National Doctor Day
WednesdayWedApr 03, 2024Apr 03National Walking Day
ThursdayThuApr 04, 2024Apr 04National Burrito Day
SundaySunApr 07, 2024Apr 07National Beer Day
ThursdayThuApr 11, 2024Apr 11National Pet Day
FridayFriApr 12, 2024Apr 12National Grilled Cheese Day
ThursdayThuMay 02, 2024May 02National Day Of Prayer
SundaySunMay 12, 2024May 12Mother's Day
SaturdaySatMay 25, 2024May 25National Towel Day
SaturdaySatMay 25, 2024May 25National Wine Day
FridayFriJun 07, 2024Jun 07National Donut Day
SaturdaySatJun 08, 2024Jun 08National Best Friends Day
SundaySunJun 16, 2024Jun 16Father's Day
FridayFriJun 21, 2024Jun 21National Selfie Day
SaturdaySatJun 22, 2024Jun 22National Kissing Day
SaturdaySatJul 13, 2024Jul 13National French Fry Day
SundaySunJul 14, 2024Jul 14National Nude Day
WednesdayWedJul 17, 2024Jul 17National Hot Dog Day
SundaySunJul 21, 2024Jul 21National Ice Cream Day
TuesdayTueJul 23, 2024Jul 23Amazon Prime Day
WednesdayWedJul 24, 2024Jul 24National Tequila Day
MondayMonJul 29, 2024Jul 29National Chicken Wing Day
ThursdayThuAug 01, 2024Aug 01National Girlfriends Day
SundaySunAug 04, 2024Aug 04National Sister Day
WednesdayWedSep 18, 2024Sep 18National Cheeseburger Day
ThursdayThuOct 03, 2024Oct 03National Boyfriends Day
FridayFriOct 04, 2024Oct 04National Vodka Day
FridayFriOct 04, 2024Oct 04National Taco Day
WednesdayWedOct 09, 2024Oct 09Leif Erikson Day
SaturdaySatOct 19, 2024Oct 19Sweetest Day
TuesdayTueOct 29, 2024Oct 29National Cat Day
ThursdayThuOct 31, 2024Oct 31Halloween
SundaySunNov 03, 2024Nov 03National Sandwich Day
FridayFriNov 29, 2024Nov 29Black Friday
MondayMonDec 02, 2024Dec 02Cyber Monday
SaturdaySatDec 07, 2024Dec 07Candle Day
MondayMonDec 09, 2024Dec 09National Pastry Day
FridayFriDec 20, 2024Dec 20National Ugly Sweater day