Thanksgiving Facts

Thanksgiving is many Americans and Canadians favorite holiday. The big meal, family, and football are some of the reasons why. However, not too many North Americans know the statistics and history behind this great day of the turkey.

Here are some great Thanksgiving Facts

Was the first Thanksgiving a feast?

The first Thanksgiving was not a feast, but rather a time when Native Americans helped Pilgrims by bringing them food and taught them how to live off the land

How many turkeys are sold for Thanksgiving?

280 million

Why do we eat turkey on Thanksgiving?

This is mainly due to tradition. Turkeys were and are an abundant animal across the United States in both the wild and in captivity. During the early years of Thanksgiving, turkey was seen as an easy target. There were plenty ready to be hunted during the fall. As for a more modern day take on the question, turkeys are easier and cheaper to raise than the traditional goose which is eaten in Europe. Many turkeys were/are born during the spring and can easily reach 10 pounds by the fall. This makes for cheap and delicious meat.

When was the first time Thanksgiving celebrated nation-wide?

In October of 1777 all 13 colonies celebrated Thanksgiving for the first time; however it was a one-time affair for commemorating a victory over the British at Saratoga

When was Thanksgiving declared a National Day?

Thanksgiving was first declared a National Day in 1789 by George Washington

When was Thanksgiving declared a National Holiday?

Sarah Joseph Hale helped the cause for Thanksgiving by championing her ideas through magazines. Forty years later her idea, it became a reality when President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed the last Thursday in November as a national day of Thanksgiving in 1863

After Abraham Lincoln's proclamation every president protected the national holiday, but many changed the date. The latest change was by Franklin Roosevelt who moved Thanksgiving to the second to last Thursday in order to create a longer Christmas shopping season. Citizens disagreed however and the date was changed back two years later.

In 1941 Thanksgiving was finally sanctioned by Congress as the last Thursday in November

What is the true meaning of Thanksgiving?

The true meaning of Thanksgiving is to give thanks for what you have, including family, friends, food, or anything else your life holds.

Random Thanksgiving Day facts

Fifty percent of Americans put the stuffing inside of the Turkey

Twenty percent of cranberries eaten in the USA are eaten on Thanksgiving

More than 40 million green bean casseroles are served on Thanksgiving