Thanksgiving is an American tradition celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November every year. It is a time shared with family and friends, and especially loved by students, as it is a chance to enjoy time off from school. Thanksgiving is a holiday that has been celebrated in America for hundreds of years. Although America has a very diverse culture, we all come together for to give thanks and enjoy activities such as picking pumpkins, watching football games and admiring the beauty of the fall season. Thanksgiving is a holiday of gratitude and family connections. 

An important part of Thanksgiving is the spirit of giving. Volunteering through food drives or charity work is something that many Americans do during the holiday season, as they donate to the less fortunate. These acts of service contribute to the festive atmosphere of the holiday, making it a time for gratitude and appreciation.

The history of Thanksgiving dates all the way back to 1621. The Pilgrims and the Native Americans came together for a feast after surviving the cold and harsh winter. Through their hard work and perseverance and with the help of the Native Americans, the pilgrims achieved prosperity, and were able to give thanks during the first Thanksgiving. Over time, America has grown as a country, and we continue to celebrate and carry on the tradition of spending time together and showing gratitude. We gather together to honor the perseverance and bravery of the settlers that made the voyage. We also honor the gracious and giving Native Americans that shared their secrets of the land and enabled a space for community to be made.

Thanksgiving officially became a holiday in 1863,when President Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday during the Civil War. This effort by president Lincoln helped unite the nation, which was divided at the time. Now a days, the holiday is commemorated by turkey, pie, mashed potatoes and other foods. The Thanksgiving day parade in NYC is a popular event that millions of people watch. Thousands of people flocks to the streets of New York to see the various floats that careen through the air. Many families partake in a Turkey Trot, an annual 5k or 10k race that gets people moving on a day that is typically spent eating.

Thanksgiving is more than just a holiday—it is a time to reflect on the things that bring we are grateful for, to connect with loved ones and to give back to those in need. Whether through volunteering, spending time with family or enjoying the many traditions associated with the holiday, Thanksgiving continues to serve as a reminder of the values that unite us as a nation. It celebrates the strength of the American spirit while promoting a sense of community and appreciation for what we have.