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Historical Origins: Thanksgiving has roots in early American history, with the first celebrated feast in 1621 by Pilgrims and Wampanoag Native Americans in Plymouth, Massachusetts
National Holiday: In the United States, Thanksgiving became an official holiday in 1863, declared by President Abraham Lincoln as a day for national thanksgiving during the Civil War
Tradition of Gratitude: The central theme of Thanksgiving is gratitude, where families come together to celebrate and reflect on their blessings over the past year
Feast and Food: A traditional Thanksgiving meal includes turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, and other seasonal foods. The meal symbolizes abundance
Thanksgiving Parades: Major cities host parades, with the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York being the most famous, featuring giant floats, marching bands, and performances
Football and Entertainment: Thanksgiving is also associated with watching NFL games, with many families enjoying the games as part of their holiday tradition
Volunteerism and Charity: Many people volunteer at soup kitchens or organize charity drives during Thanksgiving, promoting a spirit of giving back to the community
Cultural Variations: While the U.S. celebrates Thanksgiving in November, Canada observes it earlier, on the second Monday in October, with similar traditions focused on gratitude