Thanksgiving is a Time of Togetherness and Gratitude. ~Nigel Hamilton
Thanksgiving, for most of us, means turkey dinners, pumpkin pie, football games, parades, family, friends, or the beginning of Christmas holidays. In the United States, Thanksgiving Day is a national holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. In Canada, it is celebrated on the second Monday of October. As the holiday is not celebrated throughout much of the world, one could argue that it is uniquely North American.
However, the first Thanksgiving was neither a feast nor a holiday, it was a simple gathering. After the Mayflower arrived at Plymouth Rock on December 11, 1620, the Pilgrims lost almost half of the original colonists. With the help of the Wampanoag Indians, the remaining Pilgrims survived the bitter winter and yielded a bountiful harvest in 1621. In celebration, the Pilgrims held a traditional English harvest festival, lasting three days, bringing the Pilgrims and Wampanoag together to unite in a “thanksgiving” observance.
Thanksgiving is truly a special day. The word thanksgiving is composed of two words: thanks and giving. Through this holiday we are all not only reminded to give thanks, but to share and give to those in need. Again, on this uniquely American holiday, remember that there is always something to be thankful for and there are always those in need of your time and talents.
From the McGann Facial Design family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving!
