From what most Americans see, Thanksgiving is a special holiday where families and loved ones gather to spend a day of appreciation together.  The holiday is typically known for its traditional feast and the watching of football.  However, most importantly, it is about giving thanks to the people and things in life you appreciate.

Most would say that the food is the most important and exciting part of the holiday.  Smelling the aromas of dishes in the oven and on the stove throughout the day makes your mouth water as you think about the feast you will indulge in later.  Traditionally, the dinner consists of mashed potatoes, green beans, sweet potatoes, soft dinner rolls, cranberry sauce, gravy, stuffing, and most importantly a big turkey.  All of those items come together to make a perfect plate that you dream about all year.  Of course you can’t forget about dessert which are most commonly pies, such as pumpkin, apple, and pecan, to cap off the amazing feast.  However in the United States, many communities bring their own twist to their meals.  Including traditional foods, people will cook their own cultural dishes to add to their feast which makes Thanksgiving so special.  Food opens up others to try new things, bringing different ethnicities and cultures together.

Football has come along to be a big part of why Thanksgiving is such a great holiday. The NFL has played two games on Thanksgiving day every year since 1920, and they added a third annual game in 2006. The Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys traditionally host a Thanksgiving game, and a random team will host the third. According to the New York Herald in 1893, Thanksgiving is the “official holiday for watching football”. In 2022, to honor the late great John Madden in 2022, the NFL named the tradition into the John Madden Thanksgiving Celebration, solidifying the bond between football and Turkey Day.

Another important and well known part of Thanksgiving is the joy of spending time with loved ones. Thanksgiving was officially declared as a national holiday on October 3, 1863 by President Abraham Lincoln as a way to celebrate a victorious battle at Gettysburg and to spread peace and unity within the country.  The effects of our Civil War tore our country apart and Lincoln saw that the holiday could be a good step forward into the unity we once had. Thanksgiving is for appreciating those around you and what you have been given.  For example, many families have the tradition of going around the table before their big feast and sharing what they are thankful for that year. The true magic of Thanksgiving comes through the love that is shared through friends, families, and communities. Spreading thanks and gratitude is so important, especially in our world today.