Thanksgiving 2024 Date in the United States: When Is Thanksgiving Day? History, Traditions, Significance, Thanksgiving Parade and Other Details Explained
The traditional fare of the Thanksgiving meal typically includes Turkey, potatoes, bread stuffing and pumpkin pie. So, when did the celebration of Thanksgiving originate? From the rich history to traditions and rituals, find out all the details of Thanksgiving Day to celebrate the holiday.
With autumn and winter seasons, enter the holidays. The final three months of the annual year are filled with special days in the holiday calendar, calling for families and friends to reunite to mark memorable festivals and honouring traditions and culture. With the commemoration of Halloween, festive enthusiasts gear up for the annual Thanksgiving tradition. Thanksgiving Day 2024 in the United States will fall on November 28. Ahead of the festival, there is so much more you should know before you begin your preparations. Thanksgiving date, history, traditions, significance, annual parade and more, in this article, we explain all the details you must know to celebrate Thanksgiving 2024.
Thanksgiving 2024 Date
A glorious tradition in the United States of America (USA), Thanksgiving is observed as a US national holiday on the fourth Thursday in November. Going by the traditions, Thanksgiving 2024 falls on November 28.
Thanksgiving History
The American holiday is extremely rich in legends and symbolism. The traditional fare of the Thanksgiving meal typically includes Turkey, potatoes, bread stuffing and pumpkin pie. So, when did the celebration of Thanksgiving originate? Thanksgiving is based on the colonial Pilgrims’ 1621 harvest meal. The autumnal feasts celebrated the harvest of crops after a season of bountiful growth. The festival was observed locally for more than 150 years as autumn celebrations before it became a nationwide annual holiday. Former US President Franklin D. Roosevelt assigned the third Thursday to be Thanksgiving Day in 1930 and 1940 to give depression-era merchants more selling days before Christmas. But he was met with resistance. In 1941, a Congressional Joint Resolution agreed to set the fourth Thursday of November as a national holiday for Thanksgiving. Since then, the country has celebrated the day with pride and festive cheer to observe a day of gratitude and unity.
Thanksgiving Traditions, Rituals and Significance
Thanksgiving is one of the major holidays in the US. Not just sharing a meal and reflecting on things people are grateful for, the day signifies the nation’s rich history, legacy and long traditions commemorated by the people. The Thanksgiving rituals include watching the famous parades, volunteering for noble causes, hosting a Thanksgiving meal, expressing gratitude, breaking the wishbone and so much more. Making a delicious turkey is the centre of Thanksgiving meal preparations. The significant Thanksgiving ritual is for families and friends to come together for a memorable holiday. A day after Thanksgiving is observed as Black Friday in the United States.
Thanksgiving Parades
One of the most popular Thanksgiving rituals is the Thanksgiving parades. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is the most famous holiday tradition in the US. People queue up on the streets of Manhattan to watch the parade which is popular for its giant inflatable balloons that float between skyscrapers, way high above the onlookers. Along with the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the country witnesses a lot of other parades taken out on the occasion of the holiday, including the Chicago Thanksgiving Parade, America’s Thanksgiving Parade in Detroit, the 6abc Dukin’ Parade in Philadelphia and many more. The Thanksgiving parades are truly a sight to behold. The organisers even host live streaming on online platforms for viewers to enjoy the parades online.
With the onset of the festive season, we wish you a Happy Thanksgiving Day that is fulfilling and full of grace this year.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 22, 2024 12:33 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).