It is that time of the year once again! Turkey, ham, baked mac, and cheese, stuffing, corn, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, etc. It’s the time to give thanks to your family, friends, and the people you love. A time to celebrate the time you get to spend with your family at the dinner table with so much food. Thanksgiving Day is a national holiday in the United States and it’s always on the last Thursday of the month of November. 

Thanksgiving started back in 1621, the Plymouth colonists and the Wampanoag shared an autumn harvest that is acknowledged today as one of the first Thanksgiving. But, it wasn’t until 1863, in the middle of the Civil War that the 16th President, Abraham Lincoln, made Thanksgiving a national holiday that will be celebrated each November. To this day we don’t know what happened at the first Thanksgiving, from a Pilgrim chronicler, Edward Winslow wrote, “ Our harvest being gotten in, our governor sent four men on fowling, that so we might after a special manner rejoice together after we had gathered the fruits of our labors; they four in one day killed as much fowl, as with a little help beside, served the Company almost a week, at which time amongst other Recreations, we exercised our Arms, many of the Indians coming amongst us, and amongst the rest, their greatest king Massasoit, with some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted, and they went out and killed five Deer, which they brought to the Plantation and bestowed on our Governor, and upon the Captain and others”. People have suggested that a lot of the food was cooked with traditional Native American spices and cooking methods.

In many American homes, Thanksgiving is celebrated by cooking and sharing a beautiful meal with family and friends. Many families come together for the holidays and have many traditions. Eriyana Young, a Junior here at Agua Fria said,” Food, spending time with family and I love them so much and when we get together it warms my heart.” She enjoys the time she gets with her family. Back in 1924, one of the biggest events during Thanksgiving was Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade. Also, there are football games and all sorts of different events that happen on Thanksgiving day. Thanksgiving isn’t just about spending time with family and friends, it is also about giving back to the community. Thanksgiving is a time when families reunite and feel closer to each other.