The Story Behind Thanksgiving: A Celebration Rooted in Gratitude

When we think of Thanksgiving, most of us picture family dinners, pumpkin pie, and maybe even a post-turkey nap. But have you ever stopped to wonder where this holiday came from? The story of Thanksgiving is more than just a tale of a feast—it’s about survival, kindness, and the importance of community.

To truly understand Thanksgiving, we need to look back to 1621. That year marked a special feast shared between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Native Americans, but the journey to that celebration was far from easy.

The Pilgrims arrived in North America the year before, and things weren’t easy for them. They faced a brutal winter that claimed the lives of many settlers, and they were really struggling to figure out how to survive in this new land. That’s when the Wampanoag people stepped in with their knowledge of farming and local resources. They taught the Pilgrims how to plant crops, fish, and gather food from the land. Thanks to their help, the Pilgrims managed to grow enough food to survive, and this led to something special.

In the fall of 1621, to celebrate their first successful harvest, the Pilgrims invited the Wampanoag to join them for a three-day feast. This meal is what we now think of as the “first Thanksgiving.” Back then, it wasn’t an official holiday, just a moment for everyone to come together and give thanks for surviving the hardships they’d faced.

As time went on, different colonies and states started having their own days of thanks, but it wasn’t a unified holiday. That all changed in 1863, during the Civil War. President Abraham Lincoln decided that the country needed something to bring people together during tough times, so he made Thanksgiving a national holiday, choosing the last Thursday in November as the day for everyone to give thanks. Later, in 1941, Congress made it official: Thanksgiving would be celebrated every year on the fourth Thursday of November.

Why Turkey?

So, why turkey, of all things? While there’s no definitive evidence that turkey was the main dish at the first Thanksgiving, these birds were certainly present in the region back in 1621. Over time, turkey naturally became the preferred choice for Thanksgiving feasts, and when you think about it, it’s a practical one too.

For one, turkeys are quite large, making them ideal for feeding a family or group of guests at a holiday gathering. Unlike chickens or cows, which were prized for their eggs or milk, turkeys were primarily raised for their meat, making them a fitting option for special occasions. It almost seems like turkey was meant for this role.

By the 19th century, turkey had truly secured its place at the center of the Thanksgiving table. Popular cookbooks and writers of the time played a significant role in promoting it as the dish for this holiday, one that symbolized abundance and family gatherings. Given its association with large meals and the spirit of gratitude, turkey became the perfect symbol for a holiday that’s all about coming together and giving thanks.

The Turkey Pardon Tradition

And then there’s the fun tradition of “pardoning” a turkey, which has become part of Thanksgiving in recent years. You may have heard a story about Abraham Lincoln freeing a turkey for Thanksgiving, but that’s not quite how it began. The story actually traces back to Christmas in 1865, when Lincoln’s young son, Tad, grew attached to a turkey that was meant for their holiday dinner. Tad begged his father to spare the turkey’s life, and Lincoln agreed, officially “pardoning” the bird.

This heartwarming story has since become linked with modern Thanksgiving traditions. Starting in the 1980s, the President of the United States began officially pardoning a turkey each year in a light-hearted ceremony. The turkey is spared from the dinner table and sent to live out its days on a farm. While Lincoln’s gesture was a one-time event, his son’s plea set the stage for this tradition that continues today.

The Essence of Thanksgiving

Today, Thanksgiving is all about family, friends, and food—especially turkey! But more than that, it’s a time to reflect on the things we’re grateful for. While it may have started as a simple harvest festival, the spirit of Thanksgiving remains the same: it’s about coming together and giving thanks for what we have.

So, as you sit down to your Thanksgiving dinner this year, remember the story of how it all began—with kindness, gratitude, and a shared meal.

-Neethu Paul is a passionate content writer with a love for traveling and exploring new experiences along the way.