What Date is Thanksgiving This Year?
The celebration of Thanksgiving, also known as Thanksgiving Day, is a valuable American tradition that is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November each year. However, the specific date may vary from year to year. This year, Thanksgiving is celebrated on November 25.
Origin of the Thanksgiving Date
The choice of the fourth Thursday in November as the date to celebrate Thanksgiving dates back to a proclamation made by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863. Although Thanksgiving was celebrated long before, it was not until Lincoln’s Proclamation that an official, unified date was established. for this celebration throughout the United States.
Why does the Thanksgiving Date change every year?
The exact date of Thanksgiving changes each year because it is based on the lunar calendar and not a specific date within the Gregorian calendar, which is what most people around the world follow today. Because of this, Thanksgiving can fall on any date between November 23 and 29.
History and Meaning of Thanksgiving
To truly understand the meaning of Thanksgiving, it is important to examine its historical origin. Although it has been popularly associated with the traditional fall dinner of 1621 shared by the English Pilgrims of Plymouth and the Wampanoag tribe, the history of this holiday is many faceted and has evolved considerably over the centuries.
The colonial origins
In 1621, after a successful harvest, the Plymouth settlers organized a celebration that is commonly considered the first Thanksgiving. Although fall celebrations were quite common both in Europe and among Native American tribes, this particular food is a symbolic model for the current holiday. However, it didn’t become an annual tradition immediately. Instead, the idea of a “day of thanksgiving” was more of a sporadic opportunity to pray and give thanks for particular fortunes such as a bountiful harvest or the end of a drought.
A national celebration
It was not until 1863, in the midst of the Civil War, that Thanksgiving was officially proclaimed a national holiday in the United States. The proclamation was the work of President Abraham Lincoln, who responded to a request from writer Sarah Josepha Hale. She had been campaigning for 17 years to make Thanksgiving a gathering that brought families and the country together. Thus, Lincoln proclaimed the last Thursday of November as National Thanksgiving Day, hoping that it would help “heal the nation’s sores.”
Many Americans view Thanksgiving as a celebration of family and gratitude. Regardless of its historical origin, the holiday remains a time to give thanks and gather with family and friends to share good food and good times.
How the Date of Thanksgiving is Determined
Thanksgiving is a celebration deeply rooted in American tradition, but did you know that the date on which it is celebrated has not always been the same? The criteria for determining the date of Thanksgiving has changed several times throughout history.
The origin
Originally, within the context of the pilgrim community, the date of Thanksgiving was not fixed. It was celebrated as an act of gratitude after a good harvest or an important and positive event. However, in 1863, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed that it would be celebrated on the last Thursday of November.
The change to the fourth week of November
This tradition continued until the presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt. During the Great Depression, to help stimulate the economy, Roosevelt moved Thanksgiving to the third Thursday in November to give people more time to do Christmas shopping. However, this change was not widely accepted and, finally, in 1941 the United States Congress officially established that Thanksgiving Day would be celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November, a rule that remains in force to this day.
Future Thanksgiving Closings
Every year, millions of people in the United States look forward to and plan for Thanksgiving. This holiday, celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November, is a time to gather with loved ones, enjoy delicious foods, and reflect on the many things we can be grateful for. Talking about future Thanksgiving dates is not all that could be considered anticipating too much, since knowing the dates in advance can help plan different events and trips with family and friends.
Thanksgiving dates for the next few years
Below are the future Thanksgiving dates for the next three years:
2022: Thursday, November 24 2023: Thursday, November 23 2024: Thursday, November 28
It is important to remember that Thanksgiving Day varies each year, as it is the fourth Thursday in November, which means that it can fall between the 23rd and 29th of the month. As a result, Thanksgiving dates in future years may vary.
Finally, it’s always a good idea to start planning your Thanksgiving festivities well in advance. Whether you’re traveling to distant cities to visit family, hosting a dinner at your own home, or planning to attend a Thanksgiving parade, having future dates on hand can go a long way toward making the day memorable.