Thanksgiving
There are many people who influence and improve your life everyday. Like your parents, your teachers, your friends, your siblings, janitors, the security guards, and so many more. When was the last time you took the time to thank them for everything that they have done? Thanksgiving is a beautiful holiday that brings family and friends together to celebrate and appreciate the people who have made an effort to help them.
How Thanksgiving Started
A ship called the Mayflower set sail from England, on September 16, 1620. The travelers spent 66 days on the water until they finally reached land on November 21. Most of the Pilgrims had suffered greatly due to the long voyage. They began to build shelters immediately after they landed. Unfortunately though they were overcome by a general sickness.
The first American Thanksgiving most likely took place in New England. It was celebrated by the Pilgrim settlers. The Pilgrims had struggled bravely through a grim winter with much sickness and little food. they turned for help to the Indians for help on survival. The Indians taught them how to plant corn and other crops. In the autumn, the first crop was harvested, the Pilgrims were overjoyed.
Governor William Bradford proclaimed three days of prayer and thanksgiving. The Pilgrims hosted a huge feast with their abundant harvest. They even invited the Indian Chief, Massasoit, and about 90 of his people as a way of thanking them for teaching them how to grow crops.
The custom of thanking people and hosting a feast soon spread about the colonies and is now a national holiday. It was actually in 1863 that President Abraham Lincoln announced the first national Thanksgiving Day on the last Thursday in November. The present date however was established by Congress in 1941.
How Thanksgiving Has Changed
Thanksgiving has always been about spending time with your family and letting then know how much you love and appreciate them. You should spend the day playing with your siblings and laughing with your loved ones while filling yourself up with turkey and mashed potatoes. You shouldn’t be out shopping at the mall instead.
Over the years American traditions have changed for the better and for the worse. This tradition has definitely changed for the worse. Is a new pair of jeans or a new pair of shoes more important to you that quality family time?
That’s why some stores like Barnes and Noble, DSW, and Nordstrom refuse to open on thanksgiving day. Some stores even send all of their staff members home so that they can spend time with their family.Besides, black Friday is literally the very next day, it won’t hurt to wait.
Sometimes it’s a bit sad to think that an incredible traditional American tradition is being broken in some families due to sales and stores. Nowadays some people think of the price tags when they think of thanksgiving but not the things that are priceless things in life such as your family.
How to Show How Much you Appreciate Someone
Thanksgiving has always been about spending time with your family and letting then know how much you love and appreciate them.
Every Thanksgiving in my family, we each write a letter of what we are thankful for. It’s great to have a family tradition that everyone follows. Write a letter to someone who has helped you before. Like your friend, parents, siblings, teachers, coaches, etc.
Although we love and appreciate the people who care about us, sometimes we just don’t say it or show it enough. Thanksgiving is a great opportunity to tell someone how much you appreciate them. Show them that you care. A simple Thank You can make someone’s day!
Happy Thanksgiving! What are you thankful for?
