THANKSGIVING DAY

Thanksgiving Day is a communal celebration meaning gratitude people feel for all the good things in life. This is done by offering prayers, gifting your near and dear ones.It is celebrated every year on the fourth Thursday in the month of November and is America's preeminent day. The tradition of Thanksgiving continues till date in the form of family reunion and feasting, tradition of turkey, parades...

It has a very interesting history. Its origin being traced back to the 16th century when the first thanksgiving dinner is said to have taken place.The legendary pilgrims, crossed the Atlantic in the year 1620 in the Mayflower vessel. About 102 people traveled for nearly two months with extreme difficulty as they were kept in the cargo space of the sailing vessel. No one was allowed to go on the deck due to terrible storms. The pilgrims comforted themselves by singing Psalms and sacred songs.

But also, thanksgiving is a communal gesture celebrated all over the world based on the need to display gratitude through prayer, hymns and gift giving.United Nations decided the year 2000 as the 'International thanksgiving year' in order to celebrate the gift of life as the noblest expression of the human spirit.

Thanksgiving is essentially a harvest related festival. It celebrates communal harmony. Apart from America, a number of other countries celebrate harvest related festivals. They are observed with different names and in different seasons.

Here is a poem taken from the internet that will help you write your own ones in the wikispace.

T is for the trust the pilgrims had so many years ago

H is for the harvest the settlers learnt to grow

A is for America, the land in which we live

N is for nature and beauty which she gives

K is for kindness, gentle words, thoughtful deeds

S is for smiles, the sunshine everyone needs

G is for gratitude... our blessings big and small

I is for ideas, letting wisdom grow tall

V is for voices, singing, laughing, always caring

I is for Indians, who taught them about sharing

N is for neighbors, across the street, over the sea

G is for giving of myself to make a better me

by Judith.A. Lindberg