When is Thanksgiving Day in the USA?
Every fourth Thursday in November, Americans have celebrated Thanksgiving since George Washington established it in 1789.
As one of the most important times of the year for Americans, there are Thanksgiving traditions you should know about if you are in the United States learning English.
Knowing the traditions of a country, and living them is one of the most effective ways to develop an immersion in its language because it allows us to decipher the environment through a new vocabulary, not by memorizing, but by living the experiences in a real way.
This commemoration is meant to remember what happened in 1621 when the first settlers of North America gathered to celebrate their first harvest and give thanks to God. That day, they shared with some Wampanoag Native Americans, who drank and ate with them.
Thanksgiving Day Traditions
Below, we are going to name the Thanksgiving traditions you can join if you are in the United States.
Eating the traditional Thanksgiving meal
The main event of Thanksgiving is the family dinner. Mandatory dinner components are roast turkey, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, and Brussels sprouts. Then each region gives its own original touch. Either way, the important thing is to share with loved ones.
Breaking the turkey’s wishbone
This is such a simple thing at Thanksgiving. It’s a good luck spell. Once the turkey is carved, two people must take the wishbone (the Y-shaped bone) and break it while thinking of a wish. Whoever gets the biggest part of the bone will see that wish and all the good luck come his way in the coming year.
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
This parade is held every Thanksgiving Day in New York. Their giant children’s balloons bring thousands of people to the streets to watch and the entire national press covers the event.
Sharing what is most appreciated
Another beautiful Thanksgiving tradition is to share with others what we are most thankful for. Families often offer little speeches at the dinner table in which they talk about how fortunate they are to have what is truly worthwhile.
American Football
American Football has been a part of Thanksgiving since 1876, shortly after the game was created. Since then, families have gotten together and play this sport without distinction of sexes, or simply watch it on television.
Running in a Turkey Trot
These are races that are run in much of the United States. They range from 5 kilometers to half marathons.
Runners, walkers, and fans from each community participate in these races. In the end, it’s a fun way to exercise and engage with neighbors.
Black Friday shopping
The day after Thanksgiving, stores across the country lower their prices. Shopping at these sales is not only exciting because it is so inexpensive, but it is also a tradition.
Working for good causes
Helping those in need is one of the most deeply rooted traditions in the United States during Thanksgiving. Above all, to offer as many people as possible the opportunity to eat and share the traditional food of that day.
All of these traditions are key to understanding the culture of the United States. If you assimilate them in a natural way, and by sharing them with friends, you will get much deeper into English.