Thanksgiving -part 2

Why is Thanksgiving an Important Day?

The tradition started with the ’Pilgrim Fathers’. They were the founders of the colony in North America. These people were Puritans. They were against the Church of England, and suffered religious persecutions in England. They wanted to start a new life in a new country.
Eventually, on 6th September 1620, 102 men, women and children left Plymouth in south-west England on a ship called the Mayflower. The voyage was difficult: two Pilgrims died, but two were born. On 11th December 1620 they landed on the north-east coast of North America. They called this area Plymouth . It was almost winter and there wasn’t much food. They immediately built small houses, but it was too late to grow crops. The winter was very long and cold and half of the Pilgrims died.

(photos from flickr)

In the spring a native American called Squanto helped the Pilgrims. He taught them how to grow corn and how to hunt and fish. Soon Pilgrims and the Wampanoag native Americans became friends. The Pilgrims grew crops and the summer harvest was excellent. By November 1621 everyone had food and a home. There was hope for the future.William Bradford was the governor of the Pilgrim’s colony. He decided to celebrate with a dinner for the Pilgrims and about ninety native Americans. He wanted to thank God. This was the first Thanksgiving dinner, and it continued for three days.

Thanksgiving -part1

Dear all,

in the forum with student from Albany university I found out much interesting information on the Thanksgiving's day. To be honest, I must admit I didn't know so much on this subject before reading Albany's students comments.

I discovered that Americans of all religions celebrate Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November. Children do not go to school, and most business close for three days. People in Canada also celebrate Thanksgiving, but they celebrate it on the second Monday in October. Thanksgiving is a special day for families, and people travel great distances to be with their families for this occasion.

A traditional Thanksgiving

Today the traditional thanksgiving meal is similar to the first. People eat roast turkey with cranberry sauce, potatoes, corn and pumpkin pie. Vegetarians don’t eat meat, but they still celebrate Thanksgiving with other foods, such as soya products, rice, fruit, vegetable and big salads. Many charity organizations prepare a free meal for the poor people in their own town or city.
New York City celebrates with Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Macy’s department store organised its first parade in 1924. This parade is very famous, and more than two million people go to see it every year.

(to be continued...)