The Pilgrims may have begun the tradition, but we as Americans have countless modern reasons for celebrating Thanksgiving in the US. Being thankful to live in a country that offers us freedom and opportunity is reason in itself. Our forefathers, namely President George Washington himself, proclaimed this joyous occasion to “acknowledge obligations to almighty God and to implore Him to continue and confirm the blessings we experienced”. Modern reasons for celebrating Thanksgiving can also be seen through the eyes of our loved ones each and every day.

Knowing our children are healthy and blessed  with an abundance of good fortune and opportunities is one of the modern reasons for celebrating Thanksgiving in America. Having our loved ones near to us or close in heart is another reason we give thanks to the Almighty. Offering prayers of our gratitude is one way of showing our sincere appreciation for all God’s blessings.

A Thanksgiving day prayer does not need to be lengthy and extravagant. If our prayers are heartfelt and sincere, our words will be heard. many families gather around the table before enjoying their Thanksgiving day feast, bow their heads and recite a few words.

Reflection is an important aspect on this very special day. It all ties in to the modern reasons for celebrating Thanksgiving in the US. On Thanksgiving day as we reflect upon our blessings from the past year, it gives us a renewed sense of hope for the future.

With all of the commercialism that seems to be associated with the holiday season, the country should embrace all modern reasons for celebrating Thanksgiving in the US. By all admissions, it’s easy to get swept away by the influx of commercials advertising 101 reasons to shop at a particular store for the holidays.

While Thanksgiving does officially kick off the beginning of the holiday season, let’s not forget the true meaning and spirit of the day. Look around at all the beauty that God has bestowed upon you. It’s in a child’s laughter, and the soft sweet sounds of the mourning dove. Every new sunrise offers a new beginning. New joys to be discovered, new adventures to be had. Counting one’s blessings and being thankful for being here to do so is the true meaning of Thanksgiving.

Yes, those reaons for giving thanks are obvious enough. There are probably a thousand and one more modern reasons for celebrating Thanksgiving in the US. Among them are national pride and appreciation for what it means to be an American. For this reason alone, we need to be thankful 365 days of the year.

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The most striking feature of a turkey is its gobble, a low pitched staccato note that can be recognized anywhere among dozens of other bird calls. Its regal appearance once encouraged Benjamin Franklin to call for its adoption as the national bird in place of the eagle.

Though the turkey was not proclaimed the national bird, it has earned its place as the principal ingredient of every Thanksgiving dinner. No Thanksgiving celebration would be complete without this magnificent bird in any of its presentations. Baked, deep fried or roasted, it is big enough to feed a family of ten or more, with an average weight of 15 pounds. When stuffed, and accompanied by the side dishes that are popular at this time, it is indeed a meal for the occasion.

The tradition of giving amnesty to a turkey on Thanksgiving is perhaps an acknowledgment of its utility as a food source. The lucky bird is allowed to live the rest of his life at either Disneyland in California or Walt Disney World in Florida. His less fortunate brethren are destined to grace the table on the fourth Thursday in November.

Turkey recipes are many, especially at Thanksgiving, when the many ways of preparing this holiday dish are discussed. The most popular method is probably that of roasting the bird. This was probably the method that was used by those celebrating the first Thanksgiving, since they did not possess any ovens for baking. Governor Bradford mentions that they ate radishes and Indian corn with their turkey. Today, it is usually accompanied by gravy, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie.

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It is significant that the food items he mentions were all native to America. The humble turkey is also mentioned. The Pilgrims did not eat anything brought from England since any provision they had probably brought with them were all long gone.

The first Thanksgiving dinner, in the words of William Bradford, would seem to indicate that there was a good combination of the various kinds of food that are ideal for good nutrition. Vegetables such as radishes and spinach are mentioned, as are cereals such as Indian corn. He also mentions the small amount of grain that were allotted to each settler, probably from a common store that was still available.

The arrival of Wampanoag chief Massasoit with 90 of his men meant that the food that was available was not sufficient for all. He sent his men out and they returned with five deer, which solved the food problem for all. This Native American chief was a valuable ally for the Pilgrims, and he demonstrated his consideration by this contribution to the food supply.

The food situation was particularly precarious for the settlers during the first days. They had no knowledge of the abundance of game of all kinds and the existence of grain was also unknown to them. Later on, with the appearance of Squanto, they were able to learn about the abundance of the new land. There were all suffering from various sorts of illnesses such as pneumonia and tuberculosis. Scurvy was also prevalent, probably due to the diet that they were all forced to observe

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The parade begins on the Upper West Side of Manhattan and ends in front of Macy’s main store in Herald Square. There are usually dozens of floats depicting scenes from Broadway musicals. Marching bands provide the musical accompaniment, while great balloons in the shape of cartoon characters float alongside the marchers. There are also popular performers such as singers and actors who see Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade as an occasion to gain further exposure. The Parade is seen by millions of viewers around the world and is one of the most watched programs on television.

One of the features of the parade is its exact timing. It starts at nine o’clock, begins its slow, circuitous route that passes in front of Central Park and reaches its destination in Herald Square at twelve o’clock sharp.

The final float in the parade is traditionally that of Santa Claus. This is an unofficial indication that Thanksgiving is over and the Christmas season begins. The next day, Black Friday, is the day when the stores officially open their doors for Christmas. It is called Black Friday because it is the day when sales are usually the highest. Many stores who have not had a good year, with their balances all in red, depend on this day to turn those red figures to black.

If there is one parade that is well known throughout the world for its combination of floats, cartoon characters and entertainers, it is the Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

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Since venison was only mentioned as the Indians contribution to the fare, the conclusion we can draw is that the Pilgrims did not know how to catch or kill deer. The Indians, with their greater knowledge of the forests and the game that could be found, were thus sharing their knowledge with the newcomers. The pilgrims that were sent fowling brought back enough of the birds to prepare a nutritious meal. Easily caught fish such as cod and bass supplemented the meal. Indian corn and radishes were also on the table, and these two elements, a cereal and a vegetable, made for a nutritious meal, by any standards.

Today’s turkey and pumpkin pie would be just at home on the table at that first Thanksgiving dinner. The hungry settler would be surprised at first, perhaps, at the sight of deep fried turkey fillets but would settle down when he saw roasted turkey. Nothing on the Thanksgiving table would seem strange to him. The Pilgrims did not have ovens, but in their former homeland, they would have been familiar with pies and other baked dishes.

The food we eat at Thanksgiving is thus an opportune acknowledgment of the debt we owe the first settlers and their Indian friends in culinary matters. The fact that no mention is made in the journal of English or European foods is an indication that the future nation had already begun to forge its own identity.

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His life is intriguing because he started out as a slave after he was captured by English sailors. Later on, he learned English after receiving encouragement from the boat captain. The interest of the captain in his captive being able to speak English was not based on altruism, however, but on simple expediency. He wanted to trade with the Indians and needed an interpreter to facilitate communications between the two sides.

Later on, Squanto was set free, only to be captured again, this time by a Spanish privateer. He obtained his freedom after he was bought by monks who sought to free Native American captives by buying their freedom.

He managed to reach his beloved American mainland once again, and this time he had more luck. He came into contact with the Pilgrims and at once became their ally. He was instrumental in persuading the other tribes to help the newcomers, and, in this way, enabled them to become self-sufficient.

Squanto can be said to occupy a pivotal role in the formation of the new settlement and in the success of the Pilgrim Fathers in the new world. Without his invaluable assistance, the Pilgrims would not have been able to form alliances with other Native American tribes. More importantly, they would not have been able to adapt to the way of life in the new world.

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It all started in 1970 when the Commonwealth of Massachusetts invited the Wampanoag leader Frank James to give a speech marking the celebration of Thanksgiving. Mr. James, who did not believe that his people had cause for celebration, prepared a speech in which he denounced the centuries of maltreatment of Native Americans at the hands of the descendants of the Pilgrims. When the governor of Massachusetts got wind of the contents of his proposed speech he canceled the invitation to Mr. James.

This discourtesy offended Mr. James and he and some of his followers decided to do their own version of Thanksgiving by celebrating a Day of Mourning instead. They decided to gather on the top of Coles Hill near Plymouth Rock each Thanksgiving Day to observe this new event.

This commemoration has certain similarities with those of some Latin American nations who now prefer not to celebrate the Discovery of America by Columbus in 1492. Instead, they have decided to refer to it as a day of sorrow. This is in keeping with two fields of thought prevalent among Latin American historians who refer to a Golden Legend and a Black Legend. The advocates of the Golden Legend say that the Discovery was a positive event because it brought progress and Christianity to a backward continent. The proponents of the Black Legend say that the Spaniards brought death and destruction to a peaceful continent, decimating entire populations with the diseases they brought with them.

Thanksgiving celebrates the union of two peoples, each giving thanks by enjoying the products of their labors and the abundance of nature.

The Day of Mourning is a remembrance of the many injustices that followed the celebration of the first Thanksgiving.

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Native Americans were instrumental in the survival of the first settlers, however, and this fact should always be taken into account. Without their valuable aid, the Pilgrims would not have been able to endure the crude winters when food was scarce and sickness was prevalent.

More importantly, perhaps, the help of friendly natives such as Squanto, a member of the Patuxet tribe, was instrumental in helping the newcomers to adapt to the land. He taught them how to catch the fish that were so abundant in the region. Cod and bass were two species of fish that were mentioned in the diary of William Bradford and both of these species of fish are not easy to catch. Squanto’s help was valuable in this regard.

Another area where Squanto was invaluable was in helping to forge an alliance with one of the strongest groups of Native Americans in the area, that of the Wampanoag tribe. Their leader, Massasoit, by his friendship with the Pilgrims, made their lives easier by not having to live in constant fear of attack by other tribes.

Squanto’s help was also of significant importance in teaching the Pilgrims how to plant corn, one of the mainstays of their food supply. He showed them how to use fish as a fertilizer by burying one alongside the seedling. By this simple method, he ensured that the settlers would always have a supply of corn.

Native Americans were important in the establishment of the new colony by giving freely of their knowledge. Only later, when their help was no longer necessary, were they relegated to the sidelines of history.

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RiseUpInc In warlike societies such as those of the Incas or the Aztecs, the celebrations to give thanks were marked by sacrifices. After a victory in battle, the captured enemy were ritually sacrificed amid much rejoicing and celebratory feasts. Fat Loss 4 Idiots Review These sacrifices were made to give thanks to the solar deity and to the various smaller deities who gave aid before a battle.

The tradition that is more closely related to Thanksgiving is that of the Harvest Festival in Great Britain. This festival was usually celebrated in September or October each year, at the end of the harvest and just before the onset of winter. Five Point Lede This was an occasion of great celebrations when the harvest was abundant. This meant that food for the coming winter was assured, and hunger was not going to be a problem to be faced.

Today, the emphasis on Thanksgiving is primarily on the partaking of food and the renewal of family ties. The original Thanksgiving celebrated by the Pilgrim Fathers placed emphasis on the gratitude of the settlers to Providence.  The Power Of Conversational Hypnosis The spiritual aspects were more present at that first Thanksgiving probably because of the experience of hardship suffered and the abundance of their first harvest. Fat Loss 4 Idiots

The fact that on Thanksgiving, we celebrate with food is a throwback to the age-old custom of breaking bread and drinking wine on a special occasion. We give thanks and express gratitude to all by celebrating this day.

Want to see what celebrities do to celebrate Thanksgiving? Check out Showbiz Gossip

Amusing Nicknames for the Thanksgiving Turkey And Their History

Want to amuse your family at the Thanksgiving Day dinner this year? Here are some amusing nicknames and stories on the Thanksgiving Day turkey – entertain your family this year with your knowledge.

Of course, first I should mention that the name turkey itself is a misnomer. Poor Christopher Columbus, who thought he was in India, thought that the turkey he saw was a member of the peacock. So he named the bird “tuka”, which means “peacock” in Tamil, a major Indian language.  Some party-poopers claim that the turkey was actually named after the sound that female turkeys make “tuk, tuk, tuk”, but I prefer to stick with the Christopher Columbus story. Your family will like it better too.

Some people call their Thanksgiving turkey “Big Bird”. Yes, the one and the same from Sesame Street. About 4000 turkey feathers went into creating the Big Bird costume – of course, they were dyed that lovely shade of neon yellow first.

Third up is “gobbler” – of course, this one should be pretty obvious. Gobbler comes from the “gobble gobble” sound that the male adult turkeys make. It’s also the sound Uncle Fred makes as he’s eating the Thanksgiving Day feast, but that’s a different story.

This one has to be my favorite turkey name. Some Hispanic farm families have named the designated Thanksgiving turkey “Gracias” in keeping with the holiday’s tradition. There’s also a kid’s book named “Gracias The Thanksgiving Turkey” by Joy Cowley, but the Hispanic tradition definitely predates the book.

And no Thanksgiving Day turkey nickname story would be complete without the Presidential bird being mentioned. Supposedly started during the Civil War by Abraham Lincoln pardoning his son’s turkey Jack, most historians file this under “Urban Myth”. The story goes like this – Lincoln’s son Tad had a turkey that had been tabbed for Thanksgiving Day eats. When it came time for killing, his son burst into a cabinet meeting, begging for forgiveness for his turkey. Naturally, Lincoln couldn’t refuse his own son.

Some claim the Presidential pardon of the turkey started in 1947 with Harry Truman. According to Snopes, records only show the fact that turkey producers started to present Presidential turkeys to the White House that year – there is no record of Harry Truman actually using his Presidential pardon powers to spare any unlucky turkeys.

Supposedly President Kennedy denied the turkey’s plea for pardon, saying “Let’s eat him” in response. Later he claimed in a press conference that he had indeed issued a pardon. The tradition continued into the Reagan administration, where President Reagan joked that if he had known about it earlier, he would have issued a pardon for the turkey.

The elder Bush was the first President to officially pardon the Thanksgiving turkey in 1989. Since then the tradition has continued uninterrupted. Last year President Obama pardoned the two birds Apple and Cider. He noted that he was glad to be able to stop one shellacking, noting his party’s difficulties at the polls earlier that month.

Whatever you decide to call your Thanksgiving Day turkey this year, I hope you enjoy it and all the fixin’s. Sinopnkp And do me a favor – don’t let your kids get too attached to the turkey before he’s served. Just ask Abe Lincoln what can happen.

 Choosing The Perfect Meal, A Thanksgiving Dinner Tradition

In the United States, Thanksgiving is the official opening of the holiday season.  Americans celebrate Thanksgiving with food, friends, family and sometimes football.  Hosting the official family Thanksgiving dinner can be a daunting task.  Here’s a quick guide to choosing from the many foods which can be offered at a modern Thanksgiving dinner.

The Classics:

A modern, classic Thanksgiving dinner includes an abundance of food.  The centerpiece of this meal is the Turkey, roasted to perfection and filled with a bread or cornbread stuffing.  A soup,  green salad and or fruit salad often precedes the meal. Vegetable side dishes are served along side of the turkey.  They might include green beans, glazed baby carrots, scalloped corn, creamy mashed potatoes or a vegetable trio  (or all of the above!)  Rolls and butter are a must, so is cranberry sauce (to accompany the turkey) and brown gravy (for the turkey and potatoes).  Last but not least comes dessert.  Here there are a variety of options.  Most traditionalists call for pie.  Pumpkin, Apple, Sweet Potato and Pecan are all popular choices.

A Vegetarian Twist:

In recent years, alternative Thanksgiving meals have become more common.  Here are a few ideas if you are removing the turkey from your table.  Many vegetarians suggest “Tofurky.”  This tofu substitute can be shaped into a turkey mold for a comical centerpiece or made into a loaf.  If Tofurky is not your passion consider wild rice pilaf stuffed squash or sage crusted vegetarian cutlets.  Feeling daring?  A pumpkin risotto may be just what your Thanksgiving meal needs.

Let’s Get Fancy:

Are you a foodie at heart?  Then glam it up.  Replace the turkey with individual herb roasted game hens.   Toss up a spinach, cranberry salad in a pumpkin vinaigrette then add whole grain artisan rolls and organic, hand churned butter.  A cheese platter and a glass of fine wine will set the tone for an outstanding meal to remember.  Looking for a memorable dessert?  Try whipping up a pumpkin brulee or a dark chocolate, caramel souffle.  Let your imagination run wild and be sure to set the table with your best dinnerware.  This will be a Thanksgiving dinner to remember.

Let’s Get Fast:

If you are frustrated with your busy schedule and really need a break there are many Thanksgiving dinner options.  Consider ordering your meal from a local catering company.  Many companies specialize in traditional meals that are ready to heat up.  You avoid the work and can still take all the bows (never tell your secret!).  You can often get your food even cheaper if you look for discount codes. Ready to go out?  Think ahead and book a table at your favorite restaurant.  Your favorite chef may be preparing a Thanksgiving dinner for 100 and you could be one of them.  Why slave over a stove if you’d rather be tipping a waitress?

Foods at a modern Thanksgiving dinner can vary greatly within the U.S.  Certain foods like Sweet Potato pie can be regional and served in some states while Pumpkin Pie is always served in others.  In some families mashed potatoes are important, in other families it’s all about the stuffing.  Perhaps Grandma makes a very special green bean casserole once a year and everyone looks forward to it.  Whatever you end up eating, the key is sharing it with the ones you love and with an ever grateful heart.

 Amazing Links Between Modern Day USA And Plymouth, England

Everyone knows the historical links between the United States and Plymouth, England. Who hasn’t learned how the brave Pilgrims set off in the Mayflower from Plymouth in 1620 to travel across the Atlantic Ocean to establish the colony of Plymouth in what is now the Commonwealth of Massachusetts? Well, not everyone knows there are many more surprising links between the town of Plymouth, England and the modern-day United States. Here are just a few interesting parallels between the two.

Did you know that Plymouth, England celebrates Thanksgiving? To honor the Pilgrims, the town of Plymouth holds a formal Thanksgiving ceremony at the steps where the Pilgrims descended to leave on their journey.  Modern day Plymouth then gives thanks and remembers the Pilgrims that set off on their journey so long ago. The families then retire to a local restaurant to celebrate this most American holiday. So this year at your family’s Thanksgiving, give a toast and a nod to our neighbors in Plymouth, England across the pond.

The famous American socialite Nancy Astor married into British royalty and moved to Plymouth to be with her husband back in 1905. Astor’s title was the Viscountess and she became the first female parliament member of the House of Commons. With her husband, Astor settled at No. 3 Eliot Terrace on Plymouth Hoe, which soon became the site of many parties catering to the rich and the famous in England. After her death, Astor gave the mansion and grounds to the local government. It’s not open to the public per se as a tourist place, but private tours are available by contacting the Lord Mayor’s Parlour at Plymouth City Council.

On a grimmer note, the American prisoners of war from the War of 1812 were kept in Dartmoor Prison, located in the town of Princeton, north of Plymouth. The prison is still in use to this day, but just outside the grounds is the Dartmoor Prison Museum, which is open to the public. A cemetery was established in the mid 1800′s to bury the found remains of the American prisoners that died there. It fell into neglect until 2001, when a group of United States retired veterans went there on a clean up mission. They erected a stone memorial at the front gate commemorating all of our servicemen known to have perished within the walls of Dartmoor Prison.

Another fascinating parallel between Plymouth, England and the modern day United States is the wall of Hollywood stars located along the Waterfront Walkway.  The wall features movie stars such as Walt Disney, Judy Garland, Bing Crosby and Charlie Chaplin who passed through Plymouth after taking a cruise ship across the Atlantic Ocean. For those Sherlockians among us, there are quotes from the master detective himself on Durnford Street, Stonehouse. Arthur Conan Doyle, the author of the Sherlock Holmes detective stories and books, once worked there as a medical doctor.  There are also many art exhibits located along the walkway for your enjoyment.

So for a truly unique Thanksgiving, think about spending the next holiday across the pond with some of our forefathers in Plymouth, England. It’ll be a Thanksgiving to remember.

 Thanksgiving – What Were The Pilgrims Thankful For?

Thanksgiving is a holiday that is observed in America. It is a holiday that is meant to remind people that they have more to be thankful for than to complain about. The funny thing is that once the holiday passes, people tend to forget about what they were thankful for. It is a holiday that is celebrated on the 29th November. It was initiated by Pilgrims. Thanksgiving- what were the pilgrims thankful for?
First, you should know that the Pilgrims were the forefathers of America who traveled to America by sea. It is very hard to come up with logically expository reasons as to why the Pilgrims would endure the dangers of the sea, starvation and deprivation. The moment we know these reasons, we will be well aware as to what they were thankful for. They gave thanks because they saw the promise of their sojourn near at hand.  In some small way at the harvest time of the first year, their dream looked like coming into fruition.
During the Pilgrim’s time, harvest festivals were a common thing. Nowadays, these feasts are held in November but originally they were held in October as a commemoration of the hard work that was undertaken to provide food. The Pilgrims celebrated thanksgiving since they had enough food to make it through the rough New England winter. During the first winter they encountered, they had little food that could barely carry them through. Many of the Pilgrims became sick and some died. God shone a light on them as Samoset, an Abnaki Indian, came to visit. He could barely speak English and so he introduced the pilgrims to Squanto. Squanto was a Native American who had been trained as a translator in London.
Squanto had a good heart and so he taught the pilgrims how to get maple sap from maple trees, how to grow vegetables and corn and also where to find the best hunting and fishing spots. As a result, in the fall, after the harvest, the pilgrims had enough food to make it through the winter. Squanto helped a lot, didn’t he? Now the pilgrims had fruits and vegetables to store. The method they used to preserve vegetables was salting. They also preserved meat from deer and fowl by means of smoking.
If you were a pilgrim at this time, wouldn’t you have reason to celebrate, to give thanks? They invited Squanto and other Indians to their celebration (thanksgiving) feast. The Indians who attended were about ninety in number.
The following year was not as fruitful as the previous one as the crops did not grow as well. Despite this, they shared the little they had with newcomers even though there was not enough food for the winter. The third year was even worse as the hot and dry summer caused crops to die. A day of fasting and prayer was called by Governor Bradford. After this prayer and fasting day, the clouds gathered and the rains started pouring. A day of thanksgiving on November 29th was proclaimed.
These were what the pilgrims celebrated. They were happy that they could call on God and God would answer them. They just had to set aside a day of thanksgiving. Given their hardships, wouldn’t you?

Plymouth Plantation and Mayflower II

Plymouth, Massachusetts is home to the Plimouth Plantation and the Mayflower II. It is a living museum dedicated to portraying the lifestyle of the founding fathers of America, the Pilgrims and the native Wampanoag, who assisted them, upon their arrival.
Plimouth Plantation consists of a reconstruction of a 17th century English Village, the Wampanoag Homesite, the Nye Barn, the Craft Centre, the Henry Hornblower II Visitor Centre and three miles away at the State Pier in Plymouth, the Mayflower II.
The English Village, in which time has stood still at 1627, has simple timber-framed houses furnished with reproductions of the furnishings and equipment that the original colonists would have used during that period. The people who work in the village have each assumed the identity of one of the original colonists and go about the tasks that would have been carried out daily in 1627. Not only do they assume the identity, they assume the persona, so that when asked questions they will respond as though they are giving answers relevant to that day and age. Imagine being able to hear amongst other things, a Pilgrim’s viewpoint on education, religion, cooking or gardening!
In the Craft Center you can see local artisans making reproductions of the furniture and artefacts used both in the village and the Homesite.  They use the tools and materials that would have been used in the early 17th century and turn out not only furniture but clay pots, native headdresses and clothes.
The Nye Barn houses Plimouth Plantation’s livestock collection. It incorporates various breeds of milk cows, goats and pigs along with fowl and wild turkeys.  It showcases the types of animals found in the colony of Plymouth at that time, but more importantly, it is home to the Rare and Heritage Breeds program which is actively saving these animals from becoming extinct.
The Wampanoag Homesite will also introduce you to the way in which these natives lived in the 17th century. You will see their different types of houses, their methods of boat building and how they cultivated crops and foraged for herbs and berries. Unlike the people in the English Village, the staff of the Homesite is comprised of true native people, who whilst wearing historically perfect clothing, will give you the viewpoint of modern day Wampanoag culture.
Mayflower II is a full size replica of the original Pilgrim vessel which no longer exists. Built in Devon, she crossed the Atlantic in 1957, with a crew of 34 and one kitten called Felix. She was the dream of a gentleman called Warwick Charlton who wanted her to commemorate the ongoing cooperation between the United States and Great Britain during and after World War II. Everyone who visits her is amazed at how small she is and can only marvel at how cramped the accommodation was for the passengers and be in awe of the hardships both they and the crew must have undergone.
The Plimouth Plantation and Mayflower II are wonderfully educational and anyone who can should visit, in order to appreciate their American heritage.

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