Created by E. R. Sibirina Created by E. R. Sibirina

Thanksgiving is America's preeminent day. It is celebrated every year on the fourth Thursday in the month of November. It has a very interesting history. Its origin can be traced back to the 16th century when the first thanksgiving dinner is said to have taken place. Journey of Pilgrims The legendary pilgrims, crossed the Atlantic in the year 1620 in Mayflower-A 17th Century sailing vessel. About 102 people traveled for nearly two months with extreme difficulty. This was so because they were kept in the cargo space of the sailing vessel. No one was allowed to go on the deck due to terrible storms. The pilgrims comforted themselves by singing Psalms- a sacred song.

The pilgrims reached Plymouth rock on December 11th 1620, after a sea journey of 66 days. Though the original destination was somewhere in the northern part of Virginia, they could not reach the place owing to winds blowing them off course. Nearly46 pilgrims died due to extreme cold in winter. However, in the spring of 1621, Squanto, a native Indian taught the pilgrims to survive by growing food.

In the summer of 1621, owing to severe drought, pilgrims called for a day of fasting and prayer to please God and ask for a bountiful harvest in the coming season. God answered their prayers and it rained at the end of the day. It saved the corn crops.

It is said that Pilgrims learnt to grow corn, beans and pumpkins from the Indians, which helped all of them survive. In the autumn of 1621, they held a grand celebration where 90 people were invited including Indians. The grand feast was organized to thank god for his favors. This communal dinner is popularly known as The first thanksgiving feast. There is however, no evidence to prove if the dinner actually took place.. It is said that Pilgrims learnt to grow corn, beans and pumpkins from the Indians, which helped all of them survive. In the autumn of 1621, they held a grand celebration where 90 people were invited including Indians. The grand feast was organized to thank god for his favors. This communal dinner is popularly known as The first thanksgiving feast. There is however, no evidence to prove if the dinner actually took place..

There is no evidence to prove if the customary turkey was a part of the initial feast. According to the first hand account written by the leader of the colony, the food included, ducks, geese, venison, fish, berries etc.

Pumpkin pie, a modern staple adorning every dinner table, is unlikely to have been a part of the first thanksgiving feast. Pilgrims however, did have boiled pumpkin. Diminishing supply of flour led to the absence of any kind of bread. The feast continued for three days and was eaten outside due to lack of space. It was not repeated till 1623, which again witnessed a severe drought. Governor Bradford proclaimed another day of thanksgiving in the year October of 1777 witnessed a time when all the 13 colonies joined in a communal celebration. It also marked the victory over the British. After a number of events and changes, President Lincoln proclaimed last Thursday in November of thanksgiving in the year This was due to the continuous efforts of Sarah Josepha Hale, a magazine editor. She wrote a number of articles for the cause.

Thanksgiving Day is a communal celebration marked as a sense of gratitude people feel for all the good things in life. This is done by offering prayers, gifting your near and dear ones. The fourth Thursday in the month of November is marked for the yearly celebration. The tradition of Thanksgiving continues till date in the form of Family Reunion and Feasting Family feast is an important tradition during Thanksgiving. The entire family sits at the table during dinner and offer prayer to the Lord Almighty for his continuous grace. It is also a time for relatives living in different places to come together and celebrate. Thanksgiving Day is a communal celebration marked as a sense of gratitude people feel for all the good things in life. This is done by offering prayers, gifting your near and dear ones. The fourth Thursday in the month of November is marked for the yearly celebration. The tradition of Thanksgiving continues till date in the form of Family Reunion and Feasting Family feast is an important tradition during Thanksgiving. The entire family sits at the table during dinner and offer prayer to the Lord Almighty for his continuous grace. It is also a time for relatives living in different places to come together and celebrate.

The traditional Thanksgiving parade probably started with President Lincoln proclaiming it an official day. The full- dress parade is a way to display the country's military strength and discipline. The main aim of such parades is to lift the spirits of the spectators, provide them with wholesome entertainment. In the present day, parades are accompanied with musical shows and celebrities.

T is for the trust the pilgrims had so many years ago H is for the harvest the settlers learnt to grow A is for America, the land in which we live N is for nature and beauty which she gives K is for kindness, gentle words, thoughtful deeds S is for smiles, the sunshine everyone needs G is for gratitude... our blessings big and small I is for ideas, letting wisdom grow tall V is for voices, singing, laughing, always caring I is for Indians, who taught them about sharing N is for neighbors, across the street, over the sea G is for giving of myself to make a better me by Judith.A. Lindberg T is for the trust the pilgrims had so many years ago H is for the harvest the settlers learnt to grow A is for America, the land in which we live N is for nature and beauty which she gives K is for kindness, gentle words, thoughtful deeds S is for smiles, the sunshine everyone needs G is for gratitude... our blessings big and small I is for ideas, letting wisdom grow tall V is for voices, singing, laughing, always caring I is for Indians, who taught them about sharing N is for neighbors, across the street, over the sea G is for giving of myself to make a better me by Judith.A. Lindberg

Thanksgiving is all about sharing, merry- making and feasting. Families get together for their customary 'thanksgiving dinner'. The festivity will be incomplete without making the customary 'Turkey' for dinner. Delight your near and dear ones with these mouth watering recipes. Right from main course to desserts, we have it all.

Preparation Time: 20 minutes Ingredients: 2 cans tinned pineapple chunks, save the juice cups small marshmallows (optional) 250 gms cheese (paneer) l egg 2 1/2 tbsp. cornstarch (mixed with 1/4 cup water) l tbsp. sugar Method of Preparation: Put pineapple juice, cornstarch mixture, sugar in a bowl and blend. Add beaten eggs to form a smooth mixture. Cook on slow flame, stirring continuously until the mixture thickens. Let the mixture cool, then add pineapple chunks, small marshmallows and cheese. A tasty salad is ready to eat Preparation Time: 20 minutes Ingredients: 2 cans tinned pineapple chunks, save the juice cups small marshmallows (optional) 250 gms cheese (paneer) l egg 2 1/2 tbsp. cornstarch (mixed with 1/4 cup water) l tbsp. sugar Method of Preparation: Put pineapple juice, cornstarch mixture, sugar in a bowl and blend. Add beaten eggs to form a smooth mixture. Cook on slow flame, stirring continuously until the mixture thickens. Let the mixture cool, then add pineapple chunks, small marshmallows and cheese. A tasty salad is ready to eat

Q: If April showers bring May flowers what do May flowers bring? A: Pilgrims! Q: Why did the turkey cross the road? A: It was the chicken's day off Q: Why do turkeys always go, "gobble, gobble"? A: Because they never learned good table manners! Q: What sound does a space turkey make? A: Hubble, Hubble, Hubble.

I awoke this morning with devout thanksgiving for my friends, the old and new. Will Carleton Thanksgiving, after all, is a word of action. W.J. Cameron Thanksgiving Day is a jewel, to set in the hearts of honest men, but be careful that you do not take the day and leave out the gratitude. E.P. Powell

Life can be very trying. When your child is hungry, your body wracked with pain, or you have no idea where you and your family will find a place to sleep, it's hard to find something for which you can be thankful. So, for just a few minutes on Thanksgiving Day, step outside your situation and just "be". Find something, no matter how small, to be thankful for because in giving thanks, you will be lightening your load, even if for only a moment