People in the United States of America are in a festive mood. After all, Thanksgiving 2018 is arriving at their doors! The national holiday that is celebrated with much pomp and enthusiasm, Thanksgiving is observed on the fourth Thursday of November. This year, the festival falls on November 22 and nationals cannot keep their calm. It involves families coming together to share a feast centred around a turkey, take in massive parades and watch American football. Well, this is the common knowledge non-Americans carry about Thanksgiving, but there are a lot more history and significance that explains why exactly, the day is celebrated. Bonalu 2018: Know All About Telugu Thanksgiving Festival Celebrated in Hyderabad & Secunderabad, Traffic Diversions and Schedule. 

Thanksgiving 2018 is celebrated on different days in Canada and USA. The citizens in Canada are done with their celebrations on the second Monday of October. And now it is time for the Americans. Thanksgiving has both historical and religious significance but has taken on a secular meaning and is observed as a national holiday.

Thanksgiving 2018 Date:

Every year, people in the United States of America celebrates Thanksgiving ahead of Christmas and New Year on the fourth Thursday of November. This year, it falls on November 22.

Thanksgiving 2018 Significance & History:

Thanksgiving 2018 has its roots in a celebration of the annual harvest. From the Pilgrims’ point of view, it was first observed in the 16th century to give thanks for the rain that had ended a drought and saved their harvest. Wisdom practices such as expressing gratitude, sharing and giving away are integral to many indigenous cultures and communities.

In 1789, the first U.S. President, George Washington called first Thanksgiving nationally to gather and give thanks for the establishment of ‘a form of government for their safety and happiness.’ The modern-day Thanksgiving holiday began in 1863 when the 16th U.S. President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed it as a federal holiday during American Civil War. Together with Christmas and the New Year, Thanksgiving is a part of the broader winter holiday season in the United States.

Government offices, businesses and schools are closed on Thanksgiving Day. Individuals gather for their traditional Thanksgiving meal that revolves around Turkey, stuffing and vegetable. It is all about feasting, four-day weekends, football games, floats, family reunions and a forerunner to Christmas festivities. Happy Thanksgiving!

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 14, 2018 09:17 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).