Thanksgiving Day is a nice family festival celebrated in United States, Canada and several other countries. In Canada it is celebrated on the second Monday of October, in US – on the fourth Thursday of November. This holiday has a very long tradition. The main attributes of Thanksgiving Day are: special food, family parties, Thanksgiving gifts, songs and jokes and so on.
The origin of Thanksgiving Day is connected with Pilgrims. This holiday was celebrated the first time in 16th century. The holiday was traditional in Europe – similar festivals were held before and after the harvest cycles to give thanks for a good harvest, and to rejoice together after much hard work with the rest of the community. After their arrival to America they brought such fests with them. Nowadays in Europe Thanksgiving Day is not so popular and widespread as it is in US and Canada.
The ancient legend says that Pilgrims learnt to grow corn, beans and pumpkins from the Indians, which helped all of them survive. In 1621, in autumn, Pilgrims organized a great celebration, invited 90 people (including Indians and other Pilgrims) and gave thanks to god for good harvest. That holiday was named "The first thanksgiving feast". Nowadays no one knows if that celebration really took place. But the tradition is maintained.
Because of the history of this traditional holiday there became such Thanksgiving jokes as:
Q: If April showers bring May flowers what do May flowers bring?
A: Pilgrims!
Q: What happened to the Pilgrim who was shot at by an Indian?
A: He had an arrow escape.
Also there are a lot of other funny and interesting jokes:
Q: What's the best dance to do on Thanksgiving?
A: The turkey trot
Q: Why did they let the turkey join the band?
A: Because he had the drumsticks
Q: Who is not hungry at Thanksgiving?
A: The turkey because he's already stuffed!
Very often the holiday is celebrated not only on certain date but during the whole next week-end. Dinners, picnics, parades, football games, musical shows and other events take place on Thanksgiving Day.
On Thanksgiving Day families get together, invite friends and have their 'thanksgiving dinner'. One of the most important things at Thanksgiving Day is special menu. People cook dishes with turkey, pumpkins, cranberries, corn etc. It is traditional American cuisine.
Thanksgiving Recipes
On this great holiday you can cook one of following dishes:
Spit-roast Turkey with Spiced Apple
Turkey in Cider and Mushroom Sauce
Turkey breasts with tarragon sauce
Homestyle Turkey, the Michigander Way
Cranberry, lemonade and orange juice ice lollies (blocks)
Fruity chicken with butternut squash (pumpkin)
Butternut Squash (Pumpkin) and Pear
Jelly and strawberries dessert
Cranberry and raspberry jelly with summer fruits
