The United States has three major holidays: Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November each year.

The origin of American Thanksgiving dates back to 1621, the second year after the Mayflower Puritans arrived in the New World. With the help of the Native Americans, they learned to farm and fish. That year, the harvest was abundant, and they celebrated together with the Native Americans, giving thanks to God. Pastor William Bradford presided over the ceremony, marking the first historical Thanksgiving.

Later, Governor Bradford designated a day in October 1621 as a day to thank God, holding a grand feast and inviting the Native Americans to join.

During the first Thanksgiving celebration, the Native American chief happily accepted the invitation, bringing more than 90 Native Americans. They presented gifts such as five deer, turkeys, wild geese, ducks, pumpkins, vegetables, and popcorn. In late November, the settlers laid out a large banquet with wild game, corn, pumpkins, squash, turkey, and fruit pies. The festivities lasted three days, with shared feasting, friendly conversation, and communal activities. At night, fires were lit on the ground, and people danced, sang, wrestled, and practiced archery, creating a lively and joyful atmosphere.

Today, at Plymouth Harbor, a replica of the Mayflower is docked for visitors, along with several reconstructed thatched huts. One can also see the large rock marked with the year 1620.

In 1789, President George Washington, the first president of the United States, declared November 26 as a national Thanksgiving Day.

In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Thanksgiving Proclamation, establishing it as an annual observance.

In 1941, Congress officially set Thanksgiving as the fourth Thursday of November.

Thanksgiving is a holiday to thank God for His generous blessings. Families gather at their homes to celebrate together. Traditional Thanksgiving meals include turkey and other delicious dishes, and pumpkin pie serves as a reminder of the pumpkins gifted by the Native Americans, a key food during those difficult early years. Even those who are single or homeless are often invited to join others in sharing the joy of Thanksgiving.