Thanksgiving 2025

Thanksgiving in the United States is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November each year, which means in 2025, Thanksgiving will fall on November 27th. This annual holiday commemorates the harvest feast shared between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag people in 1621, though the modern holiday has evolved into a broader celebration of gratitude, family, and national heritage. President Abraham Lincoln established Thanksgiving as a national holiday in 1863, fixing it to the last Thursday of November, later adjusted by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Congress to the fourth Thursday to extend the holiday shopping season.

Thanksgiving traditions in America include families gathering for a feast typically featuring roasted turkey (hence the nickname "Turkey Day"), stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, various vegetables, and pies (pumpkin and apple being most traditional). The day often begins with watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, featuring giant balloons, floats, and performances, and includes watching American football games—NFL games on Thanksgiving are a longstanding tradition. Beyond the meal and entertainment, Thanksgiving is fundamentally about expressing gratitude, reflecting on blessings, and spending quality time with loved ones. Many Americans volunteer at soup kitchens or food banks on Thanksgiving, embodying the spirit of giving and community. The Friday following Thanksgiving, known as Black Friday, marks the traditional start of the Christmas shopping season with major retail sales. While Thanksgiving is predominantly an American and Canadian holiday (celebrated on different dates), its themes of gratitude, harvest celebration, and communal feasting resonate universally. For those outside North America, Thanksgiving represents an interesting cultural tradition centered on appreciation and togetherness rather than religious or historical nationalism, offering a model for dedicated time to acknowledge what one is thankful for.