On Thanksgiving, everyone thinks about what they are grateful for. This is a great time to gather the whole family at the same table. But have you ever thought about the history of this holiday? We've rounded up the most interesting facts about Thanksgiving!

A holiday without a date

For more than 150 years, Thanksgiving was celebrated spontaneously and had no specific date. In 1783, the British Empire recognized the United States as an independent state, and in 1789, the holiday acquired national significance, and the young state began to grow its customs and traditions.

Swan on the table

For the first few years, the main dish on the Thanksgiving table was no turkey at all. The first settlers feasted on the meat of swans, seals, and lobsters.

Why is turkey a traditional Thanksgiving dish?

Interestingly, this bird is not just the basis of the festive table. This dish has a symbolic meaning because it was the turkey that was the only game that the first settlers could hunt.

Why is Thanksgiving celebrated twice a year?

Between 1939 and 1941, the states of Texas and Colorado celebrated Thanksgiving twice in November. Why is that? The thing is that local authorities could not agree on a permanent date.

Why do the US and Canada have different celebration dates?

If in the USA Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November, then in Canada on the second Monday of October. Why such a difference? This is due to the colder climate of the country, where the harvest season ends earlier.

The turkey will live!

Every year, the incumbent is presented with two turkeys to choose from. One of the birds soon decorates the festive table in the White House. And the second bird, as a result of a solemn ceremony, receives a “pardon” and returns to live out his life on a special farm. The latter will never again get on the table with people, she will live on the ranch until her natural death. This is such an interesting tradition.

The end of Thanksgiving is Black Friday!

Every year, the day of crazy discounts falls on the Friday after American Thanksgiving Day. But did you know the history of this day?

This story happened a long time ago in the USA. In 2004, just as the Christmas holidays began, a little-known entrepreneur who wasn't doing as well as he'd hoped decided to throw a global merchandise sale. And so that other business owners would not be outraged, and people walk in the USA on these holidays until the very morning, he decided not to close the store from late evening until very late morning. The prices were staggering, only 10% off the whole price, which means 90% off, cheaper just for nothing. The news immediately spread throughout the city, people rushed to buy everything! The next day, the idea was picked up by many others, and in 2005 all over America, as soon as Thanksgiving passed, a large-scale offensive of buyers for insane discounts began on Friday night!