The origins of Thanksgiving in the US can be traced back to a 17th century harvest feast shared by English settlers and Wampanoag tribesmen. As such, it remains a popular occasion for families to come together and give thanks for the blessings and bounty of the previous year. In addition to partaking in traditional Thanksgiving customs, Americans also enjoy engaging in various fun activities with loved ones during this holiday.
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The inaugural autumn harvest gathering in 1621 was attended by ninety Wampanoag Native Americans and fifty Plymouth colonialists, also known as Pilgrims. Despite lasting three days, the occasion only included five women.
Per the US National Archives, the initial federal congress adopted a resolution in 1789 urging the then US leader, George Washington, to designate a national Thanksgiving Day. As such, on 26th November of that year, the president declared it the "Day of Public Thanksgiving."
Afterwards, other presidents also declared national thanksgiving days, but they varied in their dates and months. But in 1863, President Abraham Lincoln declared that Thanksgiving would take place every year on the last Thursday of November and be recognized as a national holiday.
In an effort to eliminate any confusion surrounding Thanksgiving, the congress and senate passed a resolution in 1941. This resolution, signed by then US President Roosevelt, declared the fourth Thursday of every November as the official national Thanksgiving Day, regardless of whether that month has five Thursdays.
5. Thanksgiving in the United States, also known as American Thanksgiving, holds historical significance and is often distinguished from its Canadian counterpart which was established as a national holiday in 1879.
6. Considered the second most beloved holiday by American adults, Thanksgiving falls just behind Christmas and ranks above Halloween.
7. Across Europe, Erntedank or "harvest thanksgiving festival" is a common term for the celebration of Thanksgiving.
8. In the United States, racing on Thanksgiving Day draws the largest crowds and is widely regarded as the pinnacle of competition.
Thanksgiving Foods
9. A traditional Thanksgiving feast typically includes an array of dishes such as turkey stuffing, roasted turkey, dinner rolls, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, corn, pumpkin pie, gravy, green beans and more.
10. The average American consumes approximately 15 pounds of turkey the year with about one pound being consumed specifically on the day of Thanksgiving.
11. According to the US Poultry and Egg Association, Americans consume over 45 million turkeys during Thanksgiving, compared to 22 million for Christmas and 19 million for Easter. On this holiday, half of all the whole turkeys eaten in the country are consumed. Interestingly, only male turkeys, also known as gobblers, actually gobble while female turkeys make a cackling noise.
12. Based on information from the US Calorie Control Council (CCC), a typical American could potentially ingest an excessive 4,500 calories and 229 grams of fat during Thanksgiving festivities. It is worth noting that the recommended daily caloric intake for a regular individual is only 2,000 per day. To burn off the average Thanksgiving meal, an adult would need to dedicate a solid 10 hours on a treadmill at a consistent speed.
13. Typically, a host spends 9.6 hours preparing a full Thanksgiving meal. In contrast, only 16 minutes are dedicated to actually eating the meal.
14. Over the holiday season from Thanksgiving to Christmas, an average individual gains one pound.
15. On average, Americans buy approximately 250 million pounds of potatoes and 77 million pounds of ham during the week of Thanksgiving.
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16. It's estimated that the majority of Americans, around 88 percent, have turkey as part of their Thanksgiving meal. Additionally, approximately 19 percent of households also include ham in their feast.
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Some information about the turkey:
17. In 1960, the average live weight of a turkey was 17 pounds, which increased to 19 pounds in 1980 and is now at 31 pounds. In comparison, the average American man weighed around 166 pounds in 1960 and now weighs about 198 pounds.
18. After processing, an average whole turkey today weighs around 16 pounds, with approximately 71 percent of that being edible meat.
19. When determining the size of a turkey to purchase, it's recommended to go for one pound per person. This results in a higher ratio of meat to bones and makes for a more cost-effective serving.
20. Self-basted turkeys may not necessarily be better than non-basted ones, as per taste tests conducted by Consumer Reports. Basted birds tend to have higher levels of salt content.
21. To ensure proper cooking, a frozen whole turkey should be thawed in the fridge for 24 hours per 5 lbs. of weight.
22. With white meat making up 70 percent and dark meat making up 30 percent, turkey offers a healthier option with less calories and fat.
23. Thanksgiving is often referred to as "Turkey Day," due to the popularity of consuming turkey as the main food during this holiday.
24. In its early days, Thanksgiving feasts consisted of freshly killed deer, cornbread, seafood, porridge, and various wildfowl, but turkey was not yet included.
25. There are three U.S. towns named "Turkey," located in Texas, Louisiana, and North Carolina.
26. Minnesota produces the majority of turkeys in the United States, along with five other states: North Carolina, Arkansas, Virginia, Missouri and Indiana.
27. Not only is turkey a great source of protein with lower fat and calorie content compared to other meats (averaging at 26% protein and 11% fat), it also has significantly less fat than roast beef (25%) and pork loin (46%). While skin accounts for six percent of the bird's weight and contains high levels of fat,
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28. Every Thanksgiving, approximately 50 million pumpkin pies are consumed. While it may be surprising, 36 percent of those who indulge in a sweet treat after the meal choose pumpkin pie over America's favorite pie - apple, according to recent opinion polls.
29. The recipe for pumpkin pie has remained consistent over the past two centuries. Old cookbooks dating back to the late 1700s contain methods similar to the modern one.
Common Traditions for Thanksgiving in the US
30. Every year on Thanksgiving Day, loved ones gather together to enjoy a delicious meal and express gratitude for the blessings of the past year.
31. Americans also flock to the streets to witness the iconic Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, where a lively procession of people carry enormous inflatables through the city. This beloved parade first took place in 1924 with a group of Macy's employees, and the famous balloons were introduced in 1927
32. The Thanksgiving wishbone, a Y-shaped bone removed from the turkey and set aside to dry, is traditionally broken by two people after dinner. It is believed that the person who ends up with the larger piece will have good luck and their wishes granted for the new year.
33. Another popular tradition during Thanksgiving is carving turkeys and making wishes.
34. Many people also take naps after their Thanksgiving meal.
35. Each year on Thanksgiving, families and friends gather together to give thanks for what they are grateful for in the past year.
36. To add to the festive atmosphere, students across the US often decorate hallways for Thanksgiving celebrations.
37. While many traditions originate from the first Thanksgiving, each family also has their own unique ways of celebrating, such as going on vacations, playing games, or hosting family gatherings.
Common Activities During Thanksgiving in America
38. The day after Thanksgiving, also known as Black Friday, is when Americans eagerly line up at stores to take advantage of discounted prices and huge sales.
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39. Thanksgiving Day brings people together, whether at home or in public, to enjoy the beloved sport of football. Some even form teams and play in their own yards.
40. The Thanksgiving tradition of watching and playing football dates back to 1876, following the invention of the sport. It was a day that allowed both players and fans to take a break from work.
41. The first professional Thanksgiving football games were held on November 25, 1920.
42. In addition to football, Thanksgiving is also a time for giving back to those in need. Many generous individuals and organizations organize food drives to collect items like non-perishable foods, cereals, and canned goods for those who are less fortunate in our communities. They also arrange special meals for the homeless and other vulnerable members of society.
43. "Americans also take part in popular "turkey trots," which can range from 1 mile to a half marathon in length. These races are a great way to burn off some of the Thanksgiving calories. The Buffalo Turkey Trot, an annual 8K (4.97 miles) footrace held in Buffalo, New York, proudly holds the title of the oldest continually running public footrace in North America. It was established in 1896 and has been held every year since, even during World War I, the 1918 flu pandemic, World War II and most recently, the coronavirus pandemic of 2020.
44. When it comes to Thanksgiving travel destinations, Orlando, Florida is at the top of the list for many people.
45. The Wednesday before Thanksgiving is commonly known as "Drinksgiving" and holds the reputation as being one of the busiest bar nights of the year.
Thanksgiving in Canada
46. Unlike its American counterpart on every fourth Thursday of November each year, Canadian Thanksgiving takes place on every second Monday of October and coincides with Columbus Day.
47. In 1578, English explorer Martin Frobisher and his crew gave thanks after safely arriving in Newfoundland marking Canada's first Thanksgiving celebration.
48. Canadians originally observed their Thanksgiving Day on the first Monday of October each year. However, on January 31st, 1957, the Governor-General of Canada officially declared that it would now be celebrated on the second Monday of October annually.
49. While most families in Canada celebrate Thanksgiving on a Monday, many choose to gather and enjoy their feast on Sunday evening.
50. In 2020, Canadian turkey farmers sold approximately 2.5 million whole turkeys for Thanksgiving Day, making up about 36% of their yearly sales according to the Turkey Farmers of Canada (TFC).
51. While Thanksgiving is a national holiday in all 50 states in the US, it is not mandatory to observe in Atlantic Canada.
52. During the American Revolution, some Americans immigrated to Canada and brought with them various Thanksgiving customs such as carving turkeys. Notably, there are numerous similarities between how both countries celebrate this holiday.
53. Unlike in the US where elaborate parades like the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade take place, Canadian Thanksgiving parades are typically smaller and more localized events.
54. While Thanksgiving is celebrated similarly in both countries, the traditional dishes differ in their preparation. For example, Canadian pumpkin pie has a spicy flavor while American pumpkin pie is solely sweet. Additionally, Canadians typically use rice or bread crumbs for turkey stuffing while Americans favor cornbread.
Good Things Associated with Thanksgiving
55. A time for travel. Thanksgiving is an occasion that often involves people venturing long distances to be with loved ones or simply to relax and have fun. In 2019, Statista reported that a staggering 55.3 million people in the US traveled on Thanksgiving Day alone.
56. The presidential turkey pardon tradition. Each year, the President of the United States receives two live turkeys as gifts and holds a ceremony at the White House before Thanksgiving Day. The president then pardons these turkeys, allowing them to live on a farm in comfort for the remainder of their days.
57. There is even an official Thanksgiving postage stamp!
58. The Pilgrims and the Native Americans used only spoons and knives during the first Thanksgiving, as forks had not yet been invented. However, about 10 years later, Governor Winthrop introduced the fork but it didn't become popular until the 1800s.
59. Cranberry juice is a staple in 94% of Thanksgiving dinners across the US. A quick way to determine if a cranberry is ripe is by bouncing it on a wooden barrier - ripe cranberries will usually bounce higher than 4 inches. Fun fact: cranberries are native to North America.
60. During Thanksgiving week, 20% of whole cranberries sold in the U.S are consumed while an overwhelming 80% of jellied cranberry sauce sales occur during the holiday. Outside of this festive season, cranberries are primarily enjoyed as juice.
61. The tradition of breaking the wishbone dates back centuries before Thanksgiving, originating with the ancient Etruscans and passed down to Romans and then British before reaching Americans in the 16th century.
62. While "Jingle Bells" is now synonymous with Christmas celebrations, it was originally written for Thanksgiving Day in 1857 by James Lord Pierpont under the title "One
63. The inaugural Macy's Thanksgiving Parade featured a variety of animals from the Central Park Zoo, including monkeys, bears, elephants, and camels. Today, an estimated 44 million people watch this annual event.
64. For all your turkey-related inquiries on Thanksgiving Day, reach out to Butterball's Turkey Talk-Line. From calls to social media and live chat options, their experts are available to answer approximately 100,000 questions in November and December alone. Established in 1981 with six home economists fielding 11,000 questions about turkey preparation between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
65. Benjamin Franklin suggested the turkey as the national bird for the United States due to its significance as a staple food for the Pilgrims. However, Thomas Jefferson believed the eagle would be a better choice. In honor of Jefferson, Franklin named turkeys "Tom."
66.The concept of TV dinners originated from leftover Thanksgiving food. In fact, in 1953, a Swanson employee ordered surplus frozen turkeys on Thanksgiving Day which were then packaged with cornbread dressing, sweet potatoes, and peas in aluminum trays based on a salesman's suggestion.
67. Sarah Josepha Hale is best known as the writer of "Mary had a Little Lamb," but she
68. In 1963, President Kennedy made a lighthearted remark stating that they would allow a turkey to live, as it would be their Thanksgiving gift to the bird. This humorous gesture sparked the tradition of pardoning turkeys at the White House, which was officially initiated by President George H.W. Bush in 1989 and continues to this day.
69. Some believe that eating turkey on Thanksgiving will make them sleepy, but this is actually due to the abundance of carbohydrates consumed, not the small amount of amino acids tryptophan in turkey.
70. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, there is a 5% increase in heart attacks across the nation.
71. Thanksgiving sees more fires caused by home-cooking than any other day of the year.
72. It's estimated that 10% of people wait until the day before Thanksgiving to do their grocery shopping. Interestingly, the Tuesday before Thanksgiving is actually busier for grocery stores than the Wednesday before.
Statistics about Thanksgiving
73. A majority (95%) of Americans spend both Thanksgiving and Christmas with their families.
74. Around 31% of Americans travel for Thanksgiving, with almost half choosing to drive rather than fly and most traveling at least 50 miles.
75. The average cost for a ten-person Thanksgiving dinner in 2022 is estimated at $64.05.
76. Families celebrating Thanksgiving typically have an average of 12 guests for their dinner.
77. The plastic or wire piece used to hold turkey legs together is called a "hock lock."
78. Back in 1920, turkey production in the U.S. amounted to one bird per year for every 29 individuals. Today, however, this has drastically changed as growers now produce roughly one turkey per year for every 1.5 people in the country.
79. It's estimated that approximately 13% of Americans opt for takeout or dining out instead of cooking a traditional Thanksgiving feast.
80. Roughly 40% of Campbell's Cream of Mushroom Soup purchases can be attributed to its role in the popular Thanksgiving dish, green bean casserole.
81. According to a survey, mashed potatoes reign supreme as the favorite side dish for 31% of Americans on Thanksgiving. In comparison, only six percent listed green beans as their top choice.
82. While Thanksgiving wouldn't be complete without the beloved dish, stuffing is typically only served during the holiday. In fact, Kraft reports selling 40 million boxes of their Stove Top Stuffing Mix between October and December - a seemingly impressive number until you consider that they sell about 1 million boxes of Kraft Macaroni & Cheese every day throughout the year.
Tips for Foreigners Visiting the US for Thanksgiving
83. Beyond indulging in traditional turkey dinners and watching football, there are various recreational activities to enjoy during Thanksgiving celebrations.
84. As Thanksgiving approaches, travel rates tend to spike, making it crucial to plan ahead and secure your flights in advance. This is due to frequent delays and increased ticket prices during this busy season. However, on the actual holiday, fewer people travel and tickets can be more affordable.
85. Black Friday presents an excellent opportunity for bargain hunters to save some money on their purchases. However, it's worth noting that stores are often crowded on this day, so a bit of patience may be required.
86. The day after Thanksgiving, better known as Black Friday, is notoriously hectic - even for plumbers who experience a surge in calls due to clogged plumbing systems caused by heavy usage during Thanksgiving feasts.