What Are the Meaning and Customs of Thanksgiving? When Is Thanksgiving Day? Why Is Canadian Thanksgiving Earlier Than American Thanksgiving? Why Do We Eat Turkey on Thanksgiving? Why Does Macy's Hold a Thanksgiving Parade? Why Does the U.S. President Pardon a Turkey? Why Is There Black Friday After Thanksgiving? Is Friday the 13th Also Black Friday?

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Thanksgiving Day Date

The date of Thanksgiving varies each year.

Region	Date
Canada	Second Monday in October
United States	Fourth Thursday in November (one-week holiday)

In Canada, Thanksgiving is earlier due to an earlier onset of winter and harvest season.

Significance and Origin of Thanksgiving

The core meaning of Thanksgiving is to express gratitude for various aspects of life, including family, friendship, health, and wealth. On this day, people typically reunite with family, share a lavish dinner, and reflect on the past year’s blessings.

Thanksgiving is an important holiday in North America, particularly in the United States and Canada, primarily used to thank God for the blessings and harvests of the past year.

The origin of Thanksgiving can be traced back to 1620, when a group of Puritans arrived in America aboard the Mayflower. They faced harsh winters, famine, and disease during their first year in the New World.

Fortunately, local Indians helped them learn hunting and farming, allowing the Puritans to celebrate a bountiful harvest in 1621. To thank God for His grace and the assistance from the Indians, they held a grand celebration, considered the prototype of the first Thanksgiving.

Although modern Thanksgiving emphasizes reunion and gratitude, it also has a complex and sometimes harsh history. The occupation of Indian lands by white settlers has led some to refer to Thanksgiving as “National Day of Mourning.” On November 24, 2022, Native Americans in New England declared Thanksgiving a National Day of Mourning, observing it with moments of silence.

Thanksgiving reflects this historical context; thus, it is not only a day for celebrating harvests and reunions but also an important moment for reflecting on history and culture.

Customs of Thanksgiving

Custom	Description
Turkey Dinner	The most representative food of Thanksgiving is roast turkey, hence this day is also called Turkey Day.
Family Gatherings	Family members gather together to enjoy food and share their gratitude.
Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade	Since 1924, Macy’s department store in the U.S. has held a large parade that has become a traditional event for Thanksgiving.
Presidential Turkey Pardon	Each year, the U.S. President performs a turkey pardon ceremony, symbolizing respect for life and gratitude.
Black Friday	Many stores offer significant discounts on the day after Thanksgiving, becoming the largest shopping holiday.

Why Eat Turkey on Thanksgiving?

The tradition of eating turkey on Thanksgiving originates from early Puritan harvest celebrations. At that time, with the help of Indians, they learned hunting and farming and invited Indians to celebrate their first harvest together.

Turkey became the main dish due to its large size, ease of cooking, and suitability for sharing among families.

Additionally, turkey gradually evolved into a symbol of Thanksgiving in American food culture, with many families enjoying roast turkey as the main dish accompanied by various traditional sides such as mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce.

Why Does Macy’s Hold a Thanksgiving Parade?

Since 1924, Macy’s department store employees—many being first-generation European immigrants—wanted to express gratitude to America for providing them with new lives on this day.

Thus, they celebrated American Thanksgiving using traditional European celebration methods. This event has nearly a century-long history and has become an iconic American Thanksgiving tradition.

Why Does the U.S. President Pardon a Turkey?

The tradition of the U.S. President pardoning a turkey at Thanksgiving stems from various stories, mainly expressing respect for life and showcasing goodwill.

Reason	Description
Lincoln’s Story	One story suggests that this tradition began with President `Lincoln`. It is said that his son Tad Lincoln requested his father spare a turkey destined for slaughter, leading to this custom.
Kennedy’s Influence	Another account mentions President `John F. Kennedy`, who announced he would spare a turkey three days before his assassination.
Formal Establishment	This custom was officially established by `President George H.W. Bush` in 1989 when he humorously stated that a turkey he received as a gift had been pardoned and sent to a farm to live out its life.

Each year on Thanksgiving, the U.S. President holds a pardon ceremony at the White House, typically choosing one or two turkeys to pardon; these turkeys will be raised until natural death instead of being slaughtered.

This ceremony not only shows respect for animal life but also has become a lighthearted and humorous tradition of Thanksgiving.

Why Is There Black Friday After Thanksgiving?

The origin of Black Friday shopping festival is closely related to Thanksgiving, usually occurring on the first Friday after Thanksgiving (the fourth Thursday in November).

Reason	Description
Start of Commercial Activity	Black Friday is seen as the first day merchants begin Christmas season promotions. As Thanksgiving celebrations end, consumers start buying gifts for the upcoming Christmas season; thus merchants offer significant discounts to attract customers.
Origin of Name	This day is referred to as “black” because in accounting terms, businesses typically use red ink to indicate losses and black ink for profits. Black Friday symbolizes merchants hoping to turn from red ink to black ink on this day to achieve profitability.
Evolution of Shopping Culture	Initially, Black Friday was primarily an in-store promotional event; however, with the rise of e-commerce, this concept has expanded into online shopping as well.

What Other Representative Foods Are There Besides Turkey on Thanksgiving?

Photo by Jed Owen on Unsplash

Food	Description
Roast Turkey	The main dish of Thanksgiving, usually roasted whole with stuffing inside.
Pumpkin Pie	A dessert made from pumpkin, typically served as post-meal dessert.
Mashed Potatoes	Cooked potatoes mashed into a paste, usually seasoned with butter and salt.
Cranberry Sauce	A jam made from fresh cranberries often served with turkey.
Green Bean Casserole	Green beans baked with cream, onions, and crispy onion rings.
Honey Sweet Yams	Baked yams usually sweetened with honey or brown sugar.
Creamed Corn	Sweet corn cooked or baked often served as a side dish.
Apple Pie	A dessert made from apples and spices; also common during Thanksgiving.

Different Customs or Ways to Celebrate Thanksgiving in Various Regions

These regions and countries have different ways of celebrating Thanksgiving; however, the core meaning remains expressing gratitude and family reunion.

Region / Country	Customs Description
United States	Thanksgiving is a national holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November each year. On this day, people reunite with family to share a lavish dinner and express gratitude for blessings received over the past year.
Canada	Canada’s Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday in October each year. Although it occurs at different times than in the U.S., it similarly serves as a day for giving thanks for harvests and family reunions.
Bahamas	The Bahamas also celebrates Thanksgiving typically on the same day as American Thanksgiving with similar customs observed.
Philippines	Although the Philippines declared Thanksgiving as a holiday in 1969, this tradition was canceled after 1986; earlier celebrations were influenced by American practices but are no longer common today.
Other Regions	Some other countries such as Germany and Japan have similar thanksgiving celebrations; however, these are usually not official holidays but based on cultural or religious traditions.

What are the differences between Thanksgiving in the United States and Canada?

Thanksgiving in the United States and Canada has several notable differences, primarily reflected in the date, historical background, and ways of celebration.

Item	United States	Canada
Date	The fourth Thursday of November each year	The second Monday of October each year
Historical Background	Originated from the 1620 harvest celebration of the Puritans in the New World, thanking the help of Native Americans.	As early as 1578, a celebration held by British explorer Martin Frobisher in Canada is considered the first Thanksgiving.
Objects of Gratitude	Thanking God and Native Americans for their help to early immigrants.	Thanking nature for its bounty and God’s blessings.
Celebration Activities	Includes presidential pardon of turkeys, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, etc.	Mainly focuses on family gatherings and prayers of gratitude, with no specific parade activities.
Food	Turkey as the main dish	Turkey as the main dish, but with more regional specialties
Commercial Impact	Thanksgiving in the United States is immediately followed by Black Friday shopping day	None

Is Friday the 13th Also Black Friday?

Friday the 13th and Black Friday are not the same thing; although both are translated as “Black Friday” in Chinese, they represent different meanings and ways of celebration.

	Black Friday	Friday the 13th
Definition	The first Friday after Thanksgiving; typically known for large promotions and shopping activities occurring on this day in November.	Any thirteenth day falling on a Friday within any month; considered an unlucky day in Western culture.
Cultural Significance	With rising consumer culture, this day marks the beginning of shopping season where merchants offer significant discounts.	Considered an unlucky day related to religious beliefs and cultural traditions.

Jesus was crucified on a Friday; additionally, Judas Iscariot was considered the 13th guest at “The Last Supper.”
Historically significant events include the massacre of members of the Knights Templar on October 13th, 1307; King Philip IV ordered their execution on that date which happened to be Friday the 13th.