Thanksgiving is one of the most popular and beloved holidays in the United States and Canada. It is a time to celebrate the harvest and blessings of the past year with family and friends, and to enjoy a delicious feast of traditional foods. But how much do you really know about the history, traditions, and fun facts of this special day? In this blog post, we will share with you some of the most interesting and surprising trivia about Thanksgiving that you can impress your guests with or just learn something new.
The first Thanksgiving was not exactly like the one we celebrate today
The first Thanksgiving is usually associated with the Pilgrims and the Native Americans who shared a three-day feast in 1621 in Plymouth, Massachusetts. However, this was not the first time that Europeans and Native Americans celebrated the harvest together. In fact, there were earlier occasions of thanksgiving in other colonies, such as Virginia and Florida, as well as in Canada. Moreover, the first Thanksgiving in 1621 was not called by that name, nor was it intended to be an annual event. It was more of a spontaneous celebration of survival and friendship, and it did not include some of the foods that we associate with Thanksgiving today, such as pumpkin pie, cranberry sauce, or even turkey. Instead, the menu consisted of venison, corn, shellfish, and wild fowl, among other things12.
Thanksgiving was not always on the fourth Thursday of November
Although Thanksgiving is now celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States, this was not always the case. The date of Thanksgiving varied from year to year, depending on the proclamation of the president or the state governors. In 1789, George Washington declared the first national Thanksgiving Day on November 26, but subsequent presidents did not follow his example. In 1863, Abraham Lincoln made Thanksgiving a permanent national holiday and set it on the last Thursday of November. However, in 1939, Franklin Roosevelt moved it to the second-to-last Thursday of November, hoping to boost the economy by extending the Christmas shopping season. This caused confusion and controversy among the states, some of which followed Roosevelt and some of which stuck to Lincoln’s date. Finally, in 1941, Congress passed a law that fixed Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November, where it remains to this day34.
Thanksgiving is not only an American holiday
While Thanksgiving is most commonly associated with the United States, it is not the only country that celebrates it. Canada also has a Thanksgiving holiday, which falls on the second Monday of October. The origins of Canadian Thanksgiving are different from the American one, as they date back to the 16th century, when French explorers and settlers held feasts of thanks for their safe arrival and successful harvests. Later, British loyalists who fled the American Revolution brought the Thanksgiving tradition to Canada, and it was officially proclaimed as a national holiday in 1879. Canadian Thanksgiving is similar to the American one in terms of the foods and activities, but it is not as commercialized or as widely celebrated56.
Thanksgiving is a day of records and statistics
Thanksgiving is not only a day of gratitude and celebration, but also a day of records and statistics. Here are some of the most impressive and surprising numbers related to Thanksgiving:
- According to the National Turkey Federation, Americans consume about 46 million turkeys on Thanksgiving, which is more than any other day of the year. The average weight of a Thanksgiving turkey is 15 pounds, and the heaviest turkey ever recorded was 86 pounds .
- According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, the average cost of a Thanksgiving dinner for 10 people in 2020 was $46.90, which is the lowest since 2010. The most expensive item on the table was the turkey, which cost $19.39, followed by the stuffing, which cost $2.66.
- According to the Calorie Control Council, the average American consumes about 3,000 calories on Thanksgiving, which is more than the recommended daily intake for most adults. The most caloric items on the menu are the pecan pie, which has 503 calories per slice, and the sweet potato casserole, which has 460 calories per cup.
- According to AAA, Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel days of the year, with about 50 million Americans traveling at least 50 miles from home in 2019. The most popular destination was Orlando, Florida, followed by Anaheim, California, and New York City.
- According to Guinness World Records, the largest pumpkin pie ever made weighed 3,699 pounds and measured 20 feet in diameter. It was baked in 2010 by the New Bremen Giant Pumpkin Growers in Ohio, and it contained 1,212 pounds of canned pumpkin, 2,796 eggs, 109 gallons of evaporated milk, 525 pounds of sugar, 7 pounds of salt, and 14.5 pounds of cinnamon.
Thanksgiving is a day of traditions and fun
Thanksgiving is not only a day of facts and figures, but also a day of traditions and fun. Here are some of the most popular and enjoyable ways that Americans celebrate Thanksgiving:
- Watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which is the largest and oldest parade in the country. It started in 1924 as a Christmas parade, and it features giant balloons, floats, marching bands, celebrities, and performers. The parade attracts about 3.5 million spectators in New York City, and about 50 million viewers on television .
- Playing or watching football, which is the most popular sport on Thanksgiving. The tradition of football on Thanksgiving dates back to 1876, when Yale and Princeton played the first intercollegiate game on the holiday. Since 1934, the Detroit Lions have hosted a game on Thanksgiving every year, except during World War II. The Dallas Cowboys joined the tradition in 1966, and since 2006, a third game has been added to the schedule .
- Pardoning the turkey, which is a ceremonial act by the president of the United States, who spares the life of a turkey and sends it to a farm or a sanctuary. The origin of this tradition is unclear, but some sources trace it back to Abraham Lincoln, who allegedly pardoned a turkey that his son had befriended. The first official pardon was granted by George H.W. Bush in 1989, and since then, every president has followed suit .
- Volunteering or donating, which is a way of giving back to the community and helping those in need. Many Americans participate in food drives, soup kitchens, charity events, or other forms of service on or around Thanksgiving. According to a survey by the Corporation for National and Community Service, about 30% of Americans volunteer during the holiday season, and about 65% of Americans donate to charitable causes .
Conclusion
Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday that has a rich and diverse history, culture, and significance. It is a time to reflect on the past, appreciate the present, and look forward to the future. It is also a time to have fun, learn, and share with others. We hope that this blog post has given you some interesting facts and trivia about Thanksgiving that you can use to spice up your conversations, quizzes, or games. Happy Thanksgiving!
