Thanksgiving Around the World

Thanksgiving is celebrated across the United States with varying traditions, but almost always has a turkey on the dining table. This originated with the colonists, exactly four-hundred years ago. They celebrated this event with an autumn feast, to celebrate a year done, and the bounty harvested, having great meals for the event. The colonists were joined by local Native Americans, the Wampanoag tribe, who ate and celebrated along them. The United States is not the only country who celebrates Thanksgiving, and does not have the same significance as it has in the United States. Canadian Thanksgiving is celebrated partway through October, on the second Monday of the month. The idea behind Thanksgiving is generally the same, to celebrate the harvest and to appreciate what has been given and what has come upon them in the last year. Thanksgiving has begun to catch on in countries outside of North America as well. China, for example, has a small number of people who celebrate the holiday. Some churches in the country have adopted the holiday as a day to give thanks, and have a meal and prayer with family. Instead of turkey, goose or chicken may be seen because of a lack of turkey importation, because it is not present as a food in culture. Thanksgiving is still far smaller in China than in North American countries. In Germany, an annual harvest festival known as Erntedankfest is held. Celebrations are typically run through churches, and may include parades, fireworks, and music. Goose, chicken, and turkey is typically eaten for the festival. And while the holiday is not always the same, the spirit of the harvest remains a constant across the countries that celebrate the event.