Thanksgiving: A Celebration of Harvest and Gratitude

Why was Thanksgiving not celebrated for a few years after the original feast?

After the original feast of Thanksgiving in 1621, why was it not celebrated for a few years?

How did the celebration of Thanksgiving Change in the 1700s? What Specific Years? Why?

How did the celebration of Thanksgiving evolve in the 1700s? Which specific years were significant in these changes and why?

Answer:

Thanksgiving was not celebrated for a few years after the original feast because the Pilgrims faced many challenges and hardships in the New World. However, they decided to hold another Thanksgiving celebration in 1623 to give thanks for the small harvest they were able to gather.

Changes in the Celebration of Thanksgiving in the 1700s:

In the 1700s, from 1774 to 1789, The Continental-Confederation Congress designated one or more thanksgiving days each year. This allowed for several national days of prayer and thanksgiving to be observed. This practice continued until October 3, 1789, when President George Washington proclaimed and created the first Thanksgiving Day designated by the national government of the United States of America.

Thanksgiving, a national holiday in the United States, has a rich history that dates back to October 1621 when the Pilgrims and Native Americans gathered to celebrate their first successful harvest in the New World. The event was a symbol of gratitude and the cooperation between the two groups.

Following the original feast, Thanksgiving was not celebrated for a few years as the Pilgrims faced numerous challenges in their new environment. However, in 1623, they decided to hold another Thanksgiving celebration to express thanks for the small harvest they were able to gather despite the difficulties.

In the 1700s, the celebration of Thanksgiving underwent changes. Specifically, from 1774 to 1789, The Continental-Confederation Congress appointed annual thanksgiving days, creating several national days of prayer and gratitude. This tradition continued until October 3, 1789, when President George Washington proclaimed the first official Thanksgiving Day designated by the national government.

Finally, on October 6, 1941, the Congress passed a resolution fixing the fourth Thursday of November as the official date for Thanksgiving, starting from the following year in 1942. This established the fourth Thursday of November as the consistent day for the holiday, as it is observed today.

← The impact of congress ministries during 1937 39 Civil war fact sheet →