Thanksgiving, with and without turkey

Around the world, people celebrate Thanksgiving, but not always when the United States celebrate. Canada, for instance, celebrates on the second Monday of October (October 12); Liberia celebrates on the first Thursday of November (November 5); Norfolk Island celebrates on the last Wednesday in November (November 25).

The United States and Brazil both celebrate Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November (November 26).

The holiday was first celebrated in the United States in October 1621. It began as a day of giving thanks and sacrifice for the blessing of the harvest. The Pilgrims, who had only recently arrived from Europe, were thanking God for victory and the end of a drought.

Some Thanksgiving traditions celebrated around the world are prayers, feasting, spending time with family, football games, and parades.

Turkey became the traditional food because the 1621 colonists were able to hunt wild turkeys for the autumn feast. Different cultures celebrate with other traditional foods that include macaroni, sweet potatoes, greens, cabbage, and a wide spread table of dessert… pies, cakes, cobblers, and cookies.

Not everyone is a fan of turkey, however common that main dish may be. For some, it is a matter of taste, and they might prefer a delicious roast or ham for dinner. Others are vegetarian and might find more pleasure in dining on a lentil stew or a vegetarian lasagna. For those people, there is actually a Turkey-Free Thanksgiving movement. Would you like to know more about that option? Visit https://rb.gy/ekbtdd for some tasty Turkey-Free recipes.

What are you thankful for?