Thanksgiving Day is a national holiday in the United States. In 1621, the first Thanksgiving was held when the Plymouth Europe colonists and Wampanoag (Massachusetts) Native Americans shared an autumn harvest feast. For more than two centuries, days of Thanksgiving were celebrated by individual colonies and states. Then is 1863, in the midst of the Civil War, that President Abraham Lincoln announced that the national Thanksgiving Day would be held on each November. See our Happy Thanksgiving Quotes, Happy Thanksgiving wishes for friends and family, and religious Thanksgiving Prayers and messages to send to your loved ones.
Thanksgiving History
Most people believe that in September 1620, 102 passengers sailed from Europe in a small ship called the “Mayflower” in search of a new home. The Mayflower crossed Massachusetts Bay, where the Pilgrims (Mayflower Passengers) dropped the anchor. Most of the colonists remained on the ship and died from the exposure and outbreak of contagious disease. Only half of the Mayflower’s passengers lived to see their first England spring. Then the native Americans taught the survivors how to cultivate corn, extract sap from maple trees, catch fish in the rivers and avoid poisonous plants.
In November 1621, after the Pilgrims’ successful first corn harvest, Governor William Bradford organized a celebratory feast and invited a group of the Native American allies. The festival lasted for three days and was known as the First Thanksgiving. But this story is not entirely true. The true story of Thanksgiving is brutal and dark.
When is ThanksGiving Celebrated?
Thanksgiving is celebrated on the 2nd Monday of October in Canada and on the 4th Thursday of November in the United States and Brazil and in other countries as follows:
- 1st Thursday in November (Liberia)
- Last Wednesday in November (Norfolk Island)
Same named festivals are also observed by Japan and Germany. The Harvest Thanksgiving Festival, Erntedankfest, is celebrated on the 1st Sunday of October by Germans. Similarly, Labor Thanksgiving Day (Kinrō Kansha no Hi) is a national holiday in Japan that takes place annually on November 23.
ThanksGiving Date, Time, Traditions, Rituals
| Name of Event | Thanksgiving |
| Also known as | Feast Day |
| Celebrated by | Canada, Grenada, Liberia, Saint Lucia, United States, Leiden (Netherlands), Norfolk Island (Australia) |
| Event Type | National, Cultural |
| Thanksgiving Traditions | Cook and Share Bountiful Meal, Volunteering, Hosting Free Dinners, Annual Turkey pardoning ritual. |
| Thanksgiving 2024 Date | October 6, 2024 (Germany); October 14, 2024 (Canada); November 7, 2024 (Liberia); November 27, 2024 (Norfolk Island); November 28, 2024 (U.S. and Brazil) |
| Thanksgiving 2025 Date | October 5, 2025 (Germany); October 13, 2025 (Canada); November 6, 2025 (Liberia); November 26, 2025 (Norfolk Island); November 27, 2025 (U.S. and Brazil) |
On this Thanksgiving Day, let’s take a moment to count our numerous blessings. Let’s be grateful for life and creation, the beauty of the world, the smiles and laughter of our family and friends, and the opportunity to live and thrive. But this Thanksgiving, before saying thank you to anyone, let’s pay tribute to our Frontline Health Workers first for their courage, dedication, selflessness, and sacrifices during the COVID19.
Thank You Corona Virus Helpers
“I have SO much gratitude to all of you who have worked so hard under such difficult and extraordinary circumstances. You have all of our love and hope. Be safe and Happy Thanks Giving to you!”
“Thank you for all that you did, and you are still doing. You have sacrificed so much to save people’s lives and to maintain normalcy. So thank you!”
“Your courage, selflessness, and dedication are humbling. There are no words to adequately thank you. I am praying for you.”
Because of your efforts, my family, friends, and neighbors could stay safe during this unprecedented crisis. That’s why you are the heroes of this generation.”
I want to thank you for your crucial help. I am sending you warm thanksgiving wishes.
“There is no way to put into words how much you are appreciated, loved, and supported by millions of people around the world. You risk your life every day to save strangers, and we will forever be grateful. Thank you, Coronavirus Helpers!”
Sending all the love to you this Thanksgiving. We all know that this past year has been challenging, and we pray that the coming months bring more certain times. Thank you Corona Virus Helpers! Best wishes for better days ahead, and Happy Thanksgiving!
Thank you Coronavirus Warriors!
Happy Thanks Giving to Frontline Healthcare Workers
Thank you frontliners, for all your sacrifices.
Happy Thanksgiving Quotes
“Be grateful in your own hearts. That suffices. Thanksgiving has wings and flies to its right destination.” Victor Hugo
“Gratitude can turn a meal into a feast.” Melody Beattie
“No duty is more urgent than giving thanks.” James Allen
“We would worry less if we praised more. Thanksgiving is the enemy of discontent and dissatisfaction.” Harry A. Ironside
“Not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them, is the true measure of our thanksgiving.” W. T. Purkiser
“Showing gratitude is one of the simplest yet most powerful things humans can do for each other.” Randy Pausch
“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.” Oprah Winfrey
“When you are grateful, fear disappears, and abundance appears.” Anthony Robbins
For me, every hour is grace. And I feel gratitude in my heart each time I can meet someone and look at his or her smile.” Elie Wiesel
“Strive to find things to be thankful for, and just look for the good in who you are.” Bethany Hamilton
“I have a lot to be thankful for. I am healthy, happy, and I am loved.” Reba McEntire
“When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around.” Willie Nelson
“Before I get out of bed, I am saying thank you. I know how important it is to be thankful.” Al Jarreau
“Appreciation is a wonderful thing. It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.” Voltaire
“The deepest craving of human nature is the need to be appreciated.” William James
“I awoke this morning with devout thanksgiving for my friends, the old and the new.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
“Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance.” Eckhart Tolle
“We should certainly count our blessings, but we should also make our blessings count.” Neal A. Maxwell
“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them.” John F. Kennedy
“Reflect upon your present blessings of which every man has many not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.” Charles Dickens
“A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue but the parent of all the other virtues.” Cicero
“If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, ‘Thank you,’ that would suffice.” Meister Eckhart
Happy Thanksgiving Wishes and Messages
Wishing you Thanksgiving moments that are as sweet as pumpkin pie.
May you have all the best delights in life. Happy Thanksgiving!
Let’s give thanks with grateful hearts. Happy Thanks Giving!
Sending warm wishes for a holiday spent surrounded by the people who make life worth living!
Enjoy the feasting! Happy Thanks giving!
Wishing you the bright company of good friends, the joy of a happy family, and the loving wonder of the holiday season.
Happy turkey day! I wish you the best time with your family and friends, as the holiday fills your home with warmth and laughter. Enjoy the feasting!
Among all the wonderful things in this world, I’m grateful to be a part of such a wonderful, supportive, and loving family!
I want to thank you for all the times that you have been there for me. I hope you have a memorable Thanksgiving!
Thanksgiving offers us a special time to think of and remember all those amazing people who enrich our lives. So thank you for being such an amazing part of my life.
Thank you for being my greatest blessing!
Thanksgiving always brings back childhood memories of mouth-watering food, family games, and delicious pie. Although I can’t make it this year, I’ll still be there in spirit. Happy Thanks giving, I miss you.
Happy Thanksgiving Messages For Friends and Family
This Thanksgiving, I wish that God showers you and your family with peace, love, warmth, and joy. Have a joyous Thanksgiving!
Thanksgiving is a time of reflection for all our blessings. Your friendship counts for so much. Have a joyous Thanksgiving.
May your Thanksgiving Holiday be full of laughter, cheer, and satisfied tummies!
Wishing you hope, joy, peace, good health, favor, and love on this Thanksgiving Day! Your friendship is indeed a great blessing to me.
I hope your Thanksgiving table is full of your favorite food and surrounded by your favorite people.
May you always enjoy the grand feasts and the loving company of your family. Happy Thanks Giving!
Don’t bother counting calories today; just your blessings. Wishing you a very Happy Thanks Giving!
May your Thanksgiving be full of peace, love, and joy.
Wishing you a bountiful harvest of blessings, good health, and happy memories. Happy Thanks Giving!
This Thanksgiving, let’s enjoy the laughter of friends, mouth-watering aromas, and cheers that we’ll remember for years to come.
Here’s a wish for a happy, joyous, and fun-filled Thanksgiving to all my peeps.
Although our houses may be far apart, our hearts remain as close as ever. Wishing you a season of wonder and abundance for the holidays. Happy Thanks giving!
May you enjoy a grand feast and the loving company of your family. Happy Thanks giving!
Religious Thanksgiving Blessings & Bible Quotes
I always thank my God for you because of His grace. 1 Corinthians 1:4
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
When you have eaten and are satisfied, praise the Lord your God for the good land, he has given you. Deuteronomy 8:10
The Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you, the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. Numbers 6:24-26
I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy. Philippians 1:3-4
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways, submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6
Funny Thanksgiving Quotes & Wishes
“I celebrated Thanksgiving the old-fashioned way. I invited everyone in my neighborhood to my house, we had an enormous feast, and then I killed them and took their land.” Jon Stewart.
“An optimist is a person who starts a new diet on Thanksgiving Day.”
“After a good dinner, one can forgive anybody, even one’s own relatives.” Oscar Wilde
“Thanksgiving is an emotional time. People travel thousands of miles to be with people they see only once a year. And then discover once a year is way too often.” Johnny Carson.
I’m just glad I wasn’t born a turkey! Happy Thanks giving, and may your feast be abundant!
“If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the eons, it’s that you can’t give up on your family, no matter how tempting they make it. Rick Riordan
”Happy Thanks giving! Hope you enjoy some moist turkey on your dinner table and some juicy gossip around it.”
I don’t care how much weight you put on over the holidays; I will still be grateful to know you! Happy turkey day!
“Vegetables are a must on a diet. I suggest carrot cake, zucchini bread, and pumpkin pie.” Jim Davis
“This Thanksgiving, cherish the time spent with your family as a reminder of why you moved very far away from your family.”
Thanksgiving Prayers
For the meal we are about to eat, for those that made it possible, and for those with whom we are about to share it, we are thankful. Humanist Meal Blessing
In a world where so many are hungry, may we eat this food with humble hearts; in a world where so many are lonely, may we share this friendship with joyful hearts. Traditional Blessing
For what we are about to receive, may the Lord make us truly thankful. Amen. Traditional Grace
“Thank the almighty for all that He gave in life, for the food that you eat, for the people you greet, for love in the heart, for that wonderful start. Thank the Lord for everything!”
“For food in a world where many walk in hunger, for faith in a world where many walk in fear, for friends in a world where many walk alone; We give you thanks, O Lord.”
God, we thank you for this food, for rest and home and all things good, for wind and rain and sun above, but most of all for those we love.
If you find anything that hurt the sentiments of people of any religion, write to us! If you find anything in this article that is historically not true, comment down or contact us!
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