Home for the Holidays: The History of Thanksgiving

Turkey dinners, footballs and parades--these are the modern-day trappings of the holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November each year. But Thanksgiving is more than just a day of food and festivity. It is an American tradition that celebrates the bounty of the nation. Originating as a feast of thanks to both God and the Native Americans who helped the Pilgrims survive their first harsh winter in the New World, Thanksgiving Day is a tradition that has endured for more than three centuries. What started as a New England tradition eventually spread across the entire country and is American as apple pie, or in this case, pumpkin pie! Join the History Channel as it traces the roots, the history and the evolution of this quintessential American holiday.

Home for the Holidays: The History of Thanksgiving would be useful for classes on American History, American Culture and Native American History. It is appropriate for elementary school, middle school and high school.

Discussion Questions

  1. Although Thanksgiving has been celebrated for more than three centuries, it did not become a national holiday until the nineteenth century. How and why did Thanksgiving become a national holiday?

  2. The Pilgrims gave thanks for their survival in 1620. What were some of the hardships the Pilgrims faced when they came to the New World?

  3. The Pilgrims' survival depended on the kindness of their Native American neighbors. How did Native Americans aid the Pilgrims and enable them to survive and flourish?

  4. Although Thanksgiving today is celebrated by people of many different religions, it was originally a Protestant holiday. How is Thanksgiving a combination of both the religious and the secular?

  5. Why was Thursday chosen for Thanksgiving? Why did President Franklin Delano Roosevelt move Thanksgiving from the fourth Thursday of November to the third Thursday of November? How did the nation respond?

  6. Thanksgiving originated in New England and for many years was considered a New England holiday. How did Thanksgiving spread to the rest of the country?

  7. What is a living museum? How does a living museum help people to learn and understand history?

  8. Thanksgiving Day is a ritual. What purpose do rituals serve?

  9. The establishment of Thanksgiving Day as a national holiday was advocated by a nineteenth century woman, Sarah Josepha Hale, editor of Godey's Lady's Book, one of the most popular magazines of its time. How did Sarah J. Hale help make Thanksgiving a national holiday?

  10. Football is now as much a part of Thanksgiving as the turkey dinner. How did football become a Thanksgiving tradition? How did parades become a Thanksgiving tradition?

  11. Not all Americans believe that Thanksgiving is a day for feasts and festivities. Native Americans consider Thanksgiving a day of mourning. Why?
Extended Activities

  1. Write an essay in which you describe your own family Thanksgiving Day traditions.

  2. Create a poster depicting a seventeenth century Thanksgiving feast and a nineteenth century Thanksgiving feast.Use your poster to illustrate the differences between these centuries with respect to history, prosperity and traditions.

  3. Moderate a class debate that discusses the different meanings of Thanksgiving to Native Americans and other Americans. Also include in your debate how Americans from different backgrounds might view and/or celebrate Thanksgiving differently.
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