November 27, 2025, is this year’s Thanksgiving Day in the United States. In St. Mary’s, the school goes on holiday on November 28, 2025, due to this Holiday. However, it is important to understand the meaning and origin of the holiday rather than simply treating it as a day off from school.
Thanksgiving Day is created and celebrated in the United States. The Holiday traces back to 1621, when the English settlers, called Pilgrims, settled at Plymouth, which is modern-day Massachusetts. After their successful harvest in 1621, the pilgrims celebrated a three-day feast to give thanks. This event is known as the “First Thanksgiving.”
Even though the event was the origin of Thanksgiving, it didn’t become a national holiday of the United States right away. In fact, it was declared a holiday much later in 1863. President Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday during the Civil War as a day of thanksgiving and praise. About 80 years later, in 1941, Congress officially passed a resolution, and on December 26, President Roosevelt signed it into law, officially establishing the fourth Thursday of November as Thanksgiving Day, a federal holiday.
Americans celebrate Thanksgiving by gathering with friends or families for a large meal, often featuring roast turkey and pumpkin pie. They talk and express gratitude amongst families or friends. Also, they go to Thanksgiving parades to enjoy the national holiday.
The United States is not the only country that has Thanksgiving. For example, Canada has its own Thanksgiving holiday. Unlike the U.S Thanksgiving, the Canadian Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday of October. It is similar in some points, such as the purpose of the holiday, which is to celebrate the harvest and give thanks. However, some differences also exist. The Canadian Thanksgiving is a quieter celebration compared to the U.S. The Canadian Thanksgiving is celebrated among families, but not with festivals and parades.
People are starting to forget about the meaning of Thanksgiving. It is good to enjoy the holiday. However, people need to think about the true meaning behind the holiday rather than enjoying the day off without any knowledge about why it is a holiday.
