If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, "Thank you," that would suffice!
Introduction to Thanksgiving Day
Thanksgiving Day is a revered holiday celebrated mainly in the United States and Canada, characterized by gratitude, family reunions, and feasting. Thanksgiving Day is deeply rooted in history, tracing its origin to the 1621 harvest feast that was enjoyed between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Native Americans. Thanksgiving Day has over time grown into a national holiday, representing gratitude, unity, and blessings.
History of Thanksgiving Day
The history of Thanksgiving Day was traced to early 17th century when Pilgrims who were English migrated to Plymouth, Massachusetts, with the quest to have religious liberty. Pilgrims survived through a severe winter before learning agriculture skills from the Wampanoag Indians that helped them survive. It was in the year 1621 when the Pilgrims held a feast for three days to mark a successful harvest. This feast evolved to become officially known as the first Thanksgiving Day.
In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln formally declared Thanksgiving Day as a national holiday and designated its annual celebration as the last Thursday in November. Then in 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed into law a bill declaring the fourth Thursday of November as the official Thanksgiving Day, providing uniformity in its celebration.
Objective and Significance of Thanksgiving Day
The main aim of Thanksgiving Day is to thank God for the blessings of the year, such as family, health, and wealth. Thanksgiving Day creates a feeling of gratitude and unity, where individuals get a chance to think about their success and the people who helped them.
Thanksgiving Day is also important because of its cultural and historical background, reminding Americans of the values of unity, strength, and thankfulness. Thanksgiving Day has evolved today beyond its historical context, becoming a time for people to come together, share food, and show their thankfulness.
Thanksgiving is a fusion of various activities, each contributing to making it an extraordinary celebration. What about adding a touch of poetic flavor to our festivities? A poetry competition for children before family get-togethers or after sumptuous meals could add an enriching literary element! Of course, there will be prizes for both the winners and participants, ensuring that everyone is included and acknowledged.
To make things easier for you, we have curated Thanksgiving poems for your young ones. With the help of this collection of Thanksgiving poems, you can start a conversation in another way. Oh, and squash pie and literature are a terrific combination, so have a bite (or two)!
1. Thanksgiving Day Poem
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.
By E.P. Powell
2. Thanksgiving Day comes
“Thanksgiving Day comes, by statute, once a year; to the honest man it comes as frequently as the heart of gratitude will allow.”
– Edward Sandford Martin
3. First Thanksgiving
Venison for stew and roasting,
Oysters in the ashes toasting,
Geese done to a turn,
Berries (dried) and wild grapes (seeded)
Mixed with dough and gently kneaded~
What a feast to earn!
Indian corn in strange disguises,
Ash cakes, hoe cakes (many sizes),
Kernels roasted brown…
After months of frugal living
What a welcome first Thanksgiving
There in Plymouth town.
By Aileen Fisher
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4. Nature, Autumn
The morns are meeker than they were,
The nuts are getting brown;
The berry’s cheek is plumper,
The rose is out of town.
The maple wears a gayer scarf,
The field a scarlet gown.
Lest I should be old-fashioned,
I’ll put a trinket on.
By Emily Dickinson
5. Thank You, Thanksgiving
Thank you, Thanksgiving.
We’re glad that you’re here.
You ring in this season
of holiday cheer.
You give us a day to
express gratitude
with family and friends and
a whole bunch of food;
with turkey and gravy
and green beans and hams
and cranberry sauce
and potatoes and yams.
Regarding desserts
you are second to none.
So, thank you, Thanksgiving!
You’re festive and fun.
But, mostly, Thanksgiving,
you’re totally cool
because you’re a couple
of days off from school.
6. Say Grace
Grace before dinner
Thank you, Jesus, for everything on my plate
And for bringing us all together again
The least we can do is say, Grace.
Thank you so much for this good food
Good company, cheers, and memories too!
None of this would be possible without you
So thank you, Jesus, and cheers to you!
Author-Unknown
Recommended Reading: 10 TIPS BY ELON MUSK FOR KIDS
7. Five Little Turkeys
Five little turkeys standing at the door,
One waddled off, and then there were four.
Four little turkeys sitting near a tree,
One waddled off, and then there were three.
Three little turkeys with nothing to do,
One waddled off, and then there were two.
Two little turkeys in the morning sun,
One waddled off, and then there was one.
One little turkey better run away,
Soon it will be Thanksgiving Day.
8. A THANKSGIVING DINNER
Take a turkey, stuff it fat,
Some of this and some of that.
Get some turnips, and peel them well.
Cook a big squash in its shell.
Now potatoes, big and white,
Mash till they are soft and light.
Cranberries, so tart and sweet,
With the turkey, we must eat.
Pickles-yes-and then, oh my!
For dessert a pumpkin pie,
Golden brown and spicy sweet.
What a fine Thanksgiving treat!
By Maude M. Grant
9. A THANKSGIVING FABLE
It was a hungry pussy cat,
upon Thanksgiving morn,
And she watched a thankful little mouse,
that ate an ear of corn.
“If I ate that thankful little mouse,
how thankful he should be,
When he had made a meal himself,
to make a meal for me!
Then with his Thanks for having fed,
and thanks for feeding me.
With all his thankfulness inside,
how thankful I shall be!”
Thus mused the hungry pussy cat,
upon Thanksgiving Day.
But the little mouse had overheard
and declined (with thanks) to stay.
By Oliver Herford
10. THE PILGRIM CHILDREN
The pilgrim children ago learned to live
With ice and snow. They lived in cabins, and slept in cold. When nights were long and winds blew cold. But all of them were glad, I’d say
To have that first, Thanksgiving Day. And when they went to bed at night I’d guess their dreams were warm and bright
By Leland B Jacobs
Celebrations and Traditions of Thanksgiving Day
Thanksgiving Day is all about great feasts, with classic foods like roast turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie. Friends and family gather on Thanksgiving Day to share meals and make memories that last a lifetime.
The holiday also has a number of traditions, including the Macy‘s Thanksgiving Day Parade that comes with large balloons, floats, and music, attracting millions of viewers. Another prominent tradition is the presidential turkey pardon, in which the U.S. president pardons a turkey so that it will not be served at the Thanksgiving Day meal.
Besides, Thanksgiving Day is also connected with acts of charity since numerous individuals participate in volunteering at shelters and food banks to assist people in need. Kindness and giving add to the real spirit of Thanksgiving Day.
Conclusion
Thanksgiving Day is still one of the most significant and universally celebrated holidays in North America. With its roots in history, warm traditions, and focus on appreciation, Thanksgiving Day is still a special day that unites people. Whether through eating, looking back, or giving to the community, Thanksgiving Day is an opportunity to recall the blessings of life and the bonds that bring people together.
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What is the real story of Thanksgiving?
Thanksgiving commemorates the 1621 harvest feast shared by Pilgrims and Wampanoag, symbolizing cooperation and gratitude despite later conflicts and colonization impacts on Native Americans.