The First Thanksgiving Wasn't in 1621

The first "Thanksgiving" wasn’t in 1621. Native Americans celebrated harvest feasts long before Pilgrims arrived. Similar festivals date back thousands of years.

Turkey Wasn’t Always the Main Dish

The Pilgrims likely ate deer, seafood, and wildfowl at the first feast. Turkey became a tradition much later, thanks to 19th-century influences.

Abraham Lincoln Made Thanksgiving a National Holiday

President Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1863 during the Civil War, thanks to writer Sarah J. Hale’s advocacy.

The Pilgrims Didn’t Call It “Thanksgiving

The 1621 feast was never called "Thanksgiving" by Pilgrims. For them, Thanksgiving meant a day of prayer and fasting, not feasting.

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade Began in 1924

Macy’s iconic Thanksgiving parade began in 1924 with live animals from Central Park Zoo. Balloons were introduced in 1927!

Thanksgiving Helped Inspire the TV Dinner

In 1953, leftover Thanksgiving turkeys led to the invention of frozen TV dinners. This culinary breakthrough changed American eating habits.

Canada Celebrates Thanksgiving, Too

Thanksgiving isn’t just American! Canadians celebrate it on the second Monday of October, but their traditions differ slightly.

The First Thanksgiving Football Game Was in 1876

Thanksgiving football dates back to 1876, with Yale and Princeton’s match. It became a yearly NFL tradition in 1920.

"Jingle Bells" Was Originally a Thanksgiving Song

The classic Christmas tune "Jingle Bells" was written in 1857 for Thanksgiving. It became a Christmas hit later.

Black Friday Got Its Name in Philadelphia

The term "Black Friday" was coined in Philadelphia in the 1960s. It referred to traffic chaos caused by post-Thanksgiving shopping sprees.

Thank you for exploring the fascinating history of Thanksgiving with us!

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