Thanksgiving 2017: History, Fun Facts, And Interesting Trivia About The Most Popular Holiday In The US
Thanksgiving Day is an annual holiday that is celebrated in the U.S., Canada, Caribbean islands, and Liberia as a day of giving thanks for blessings.
As the United States celebrates Thanksgiving, people flock to see the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Here are some fun facts and interesting trivia about one of the most popular holidays in the U.S.
The First Thanksgiving Was A Three-Day Feast
In 1621, the Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Indians celebrated a feast after their first harvest in the New World that is commonly known as the "First Thanksgiving" by Americans. However, not many people know that the feast went on for three days and was attended by 90 Native Americans and 53 pilgrims.
Turkey Wasn't On The Menu
Many celebrate Thanksgiving by cooking Turkey and sharing a bountiful meal with family and friends. However, there is no definitive proof to support that the bird that has become synonymous with Thanksgiving was even on the menu for guests at the inaugural feast back in 1621.
Apparently, the guests indulged in other interesting food items on the menu, which included lobster, seal, deer, ducks, geese, oysters, lobster, eel, and fish.
Thanksgiving Day Became A National Holiday In 1863
Thanksgiving, which is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November in the US every year, did not become a national holiday until 200 years ago.
It was only after Sarah Josepha Hale, the author of the nursery rhyme, "Mary Had a Little Lamb," convinced president Abraham Lincoln by writing letters to him for 17 years that Thanksgiving was officially declared as a holiday in 1863.
Black Friday Is The Busiest Day Of The Year For Plumbers
Black Friday takes place a day after Thanksgiving and is the biggest shopping event of the year with millions of shoppers lining up outside retailer shops to make the most of the discounts and offers.
However, plumbers aren't one of them because they're too busy fixing toilets, kitchen drains, and garbage disposals. These require the most attention on Thanksgiving than any other day of the year, thanks to all the Thanksgiving food as pointed out by Roto-Rooter.
Which Celebrities Are Attending This Year's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade tradition started in 1924 with 400 employees marching from the Convent Avenue to 145th street in New York City. It has been observed on every Thanksgiving since except a two-year hiatus between 1942 and 1944 due to the war.
The parade typically features marching bands, performers, elaborate floats, giant balloons shaped like cartoon characters and many celebrities also attend the annual event.
This year, Smokey Robinson and Jimmy Fallon will be making an appearance at the parade alongside a celebrity lineup. It includes the likes of Patti LaBelle,The Roots, Gwen Stefani, 98 Degrees, Sara Evans, Andra Day, Cam, Dustin Lynch, Wyclef Jean, Goo Goo Dolls, Kat Graham, The Radio City Rockettes, Olivia Holt, JoJo Siwa, Andy Grammer, Leslie Odom Jr., Angelica Hale, Bebe Rexha, Lauren Alaina, Nicky Jam, and Sabrina Carpenter.
