A hearty turkey feast of a yummy pumpkin pie, warm mashed potatoes with sweet corn, and a variety of delicious fall vegetables! What does this delicious spread remind you of? Thanksgiving!
What Day is Thanksgiving 2023?
Celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November each year, it is one of the most widely celebrated events in the US marking the beginning of the popular American holiday season. It is observed to rejoice in the harvest of the year and to be grateful for all God’s blessings.
Thanksgiving day will be celebrated on 24 November 2023 this Year!
Families and friends get together to celebrate thanksgiving to offer thanks for their good fortunes. In the business world, many companies also organize thanksgiving parties as recreation for their employees!
Thanksgiving Around the World
Only familiar with thanksgiving as a national American holiday? You will be surprised to know that many countries across the globe celebrate Thanksgiving. Although the traditions may vary, the underlying sentiment is the same – to show gratitude for all blessings. Each country that celebrates this holiday has its own history and traditional way of celebrating. Let’s have a look at what thanksgiving means to different countries around the world.
United States of America
American Thanksgiving is the most famous one. It became a national holiday when Abraham Lincoln announced it in 1624 to honor the first successful harvest in America. The celebrations you see today are an extension of the same. Americans celebrate this eventful day by holding elaborate thanksgiving dinners with family, colleagues, and friends. Along with the homely celebrations come the eye-catching parades through the streets of New York, exclusive Broadway shows, football matches, and many other festivities.
Canada
Shockingly enough, the Canadian thanksgiving dates back at least 40 years than the popular American one. The source of this event in Canada is “Action de Grace” in 1578 in which an English explorer Martin Frobisher along with his team initiated the festivities to be thankful for their safe return from a very risky journey. In Canada, most provinces observe a long weekend to enjoy the holiday. The festivities are quite similar to America with the same kind of food. However, a Thanksgiving Day Classic football match is broadcasted nationally which is a popular way of celebrating for Canadians.
China
China celebrates thanksgiving as the Chung Chiu Moon Festival which became famous during the Tang Dynasty during 618-907 CE. The tale states that the popular King Xuanzong of Tang held a formal event in his kingdom after he discovered the Moon Palace which marked the beginning of the Chinese thanksgiving celebrations every year on the 15th day of the eighth lunar cycle. On this day, the Chinese get together with their families for a three-day grand feast. Mooncakes are commonly eaten during these celebrations that are made of duck egg yolks, lotus seed paste, and sesame seeds. These unique mooncakes are also distributed among family and friends. Other festivities include worshipping the moon and lighting paper lanterns.
Malaysia
According to the Malayan concept, there is no life without rice. They celebrate the Kandazan Festival in the month of May, each year by worshipping rice as an extension of God. To them, rice is the ultimate source of life and existence on this planet. They celebrate the Bambazoon, the creator for his kindness to enable life on Earth. According to the great legend, the creator sacrificed his daughter to save the people from a great famine and scattered her parts across the land which became the seed of rice. Malaysian to this date believe that rice grains carry the spirit of life and creation. They celebrate this occasion with rice wine, buffalo races, and agricultural displays.
Japan
Known as the “Kinro Kansha no Hi” in Japan which means Labor Thanksgiving Day, it came into existence as an age-old rice harvest festival commonly referred to as Niinamesai. Niinamesai changed into a religious event to remember the laborers who made the harvest successful. Japanese people focus less on food and more on being grateful for the efforts of committed workers on this day. Celebrated each year on the 23rd of November, school children make handmade greetings and small presents to distribute among police officials, firefighters, coastguards, and other workers who work for their safety. Families take a break from their otherwise busy schedules to spend time together.
Conclusion
Thanksgiving is a celebration to instill gratitude. It is not just about good food and holidays but more about being thankful for all the blessings in your life. It doesn’t matter what occupation you have, be it a firefighter, a salesperson, or a CEO, thanksgiving is an event for all and must be celebrated with great enthusiasm.
