Giving Thanks on Turkey Day

Turkey sales increasing can only mean one thing: Thanksgiving is near; a time to express gratitude towards the graces in life with family and close friends. In America, the holiday is on the fourth Thursday of November, which is November 25th this year.

So students can spend time with their families, schools throughout Broward County will be closed from November 22nd to November 26th, making November 29th the first day of school after Thanksgiving break. All grade levels can spend the week with their families and friends to celebrate.

“Traditions are an important thing in my family. We love to gather with as much family as we can and cook our favorite dish and play board games.” sophomore Katelan Scott said. 

With different opportunities to help our neighborhoods, many people will be spending their time giving back to communities in need. Food banks are open for volunteers and donations during the holiday season. 

“My favorite way to give back to others is that my family and I make food and go around the area, and give food to people as a way to show gratitude,” freshmen Vilea Jean said. 

The holiday originated as a celebration of the Pilgrims’ first harvest. They had recently arrived in North America and struggled to produce food for themselves, leading to a challenging winter accompanied by starvation and illness.

They later received help and guidance from Native Americans of the Wampanoag tribe, who taught them how to cultivate crops, including corn, squash, and beans. The Pilgrims, who would not have been able to survive without their help, were eternally grateful.

After the first harvest, the pilgrims invited the Wampanoag tribe for a three-day-long feast, marking the first Thanksgiving.

This celebration parallels the current tradition of a large meal with those we are thankful for. It continued to be celebrated but not annually until it was established as an official holiday in 1863 by Abraham Lincoln. 

Thanksgiving has a deep meaning of graciousness and four-century-old traditions. Although it is seen as a time to eat great food, it is also a chance to enjoy time with relatives and participate in or create traditions.

“To me, Thanksgiving means giving thanks to those who we are grateful for and for the things we have and appreciate,” junior Blancaestela Rivera said. 

There is value in celebrating a holiday based on culture and generations of traditions. Realizing the things to be thankful for is a helpful way for someone to ground themselves and realize how lucky they are.

Written by Anna Mujica and Mervyn Rubio | Graphic Designed by Edith Lopez-Andres

Published November 22, 2021 | ePathfinder | Feature