It is the Thanksgiving Day today! The fourth Thursday of November.

What is Thanksgiving and where did it come from?

Thanksgiving is a national holiday in the United States celebrated in November, it is a cultural holiday that symbolises peace, thankfulness, and the beginning of the holiday season.

The annual feast is in honor of the “first” Thanksgivings in America, in 1619 in Virginia, and in 1621, when colonists in Plymouth, Massachusetts, later known as the Pilgrims, shared a meal with the Wampanoag Indians, who were native to the land.

The later feast was in honor of the help the Pilgrims received from the Native Americans in cultivating crops and surviving their first harsh winter and it lasted three days.

Later, US Presidents including George Washington, John Adams and James Madison called for days of thanks throughout their presidencies.

However, it was not until 1863, during the Civil War, that President Abraham Lincoln declared a national Thanksgiving Day would be held each November to be celebrated by all of the country.

Why do Americans celebrate it and what do they do?

Although Thanksgiving may originally have had religious significance, the day has become a mostly secular holiday.

Most Americans consider the holiday a day to gather and express their thanks through food, family, and football - with multiple NFL teams playing on the holiday.

During some Thanksgiving celebrations, people write down what they are thankful for and then read aloud from the pieces of paper.

In schools, children learn about the holiday by colouring in pictures of Pilgrims and turkeys and the Mayflower, the ship the colonists arrived on.

The day is also celebrated with the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.

Following Thanksgiving, the month-long shopping for the winter holidays begins, with Black Friday kicking off the season.

What do people eat on Thanksgiving?

In America, turkeys are an integral part of Thanksgiving Day, with most dinners including the bird.

An estimated 46m turkeys are killed annually for the holiday, however, one turkey is pardoned each year by the president.

But Americans who don't eat meat or follow a vegan lifestyle don't have to worry about missing out, as there are numerous vegan and vegetarian Thanksgiving options.

No matter how people celebrate, our products will be needed, e.g. stainless steel oil jug drizzlers for food preparation, stainless steel ice cubes for better drinking enjoyment and double wall vacuum thermal jugs/carafes for you to enjoy coffee or other favourite hold or cold drinks with your family or friends! We are always around you!

Happy Thanksgiving to everybody! All the best to you!