...........Thanksgiving History.....................
The Pilgrims were a group of Puritans who landed at Plymouth Rock, in what is now Massachusetts in 1620. In 1621 Governor William Bradford of New England proclaimed a day of "thanksgiving" and prayer to celebrate the Pilgrims' first harvest in America. United States President Abraham Lincoln, following the precedent of a number of states, designated a national Thanksgiving Day in 1863.

...........Thanksgiving Parade.....................
First held in 1924, the annual parade hosted by Macy's department store has become one of the most popular customs of Thanksgiving Day celebrations. The parade's trademarks are its huge balloons. Santa Claus makes an appearance at the parade's finale, signalling the beginning of the Christmas shopping season.
This parade is watched at our house, while the Thanksgiving dinner is prepared.

...........Thanksgiving Feasts.....................
Modern Thanksgiving feasts have changed little since Puritan colonists first celebrated the holiday in 1621. Families and friends gather on Thanksgiving Day to give thanks for their good fortune and to feast on such traditional dishes as turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, potatoes, and pumpkin pie.

Unlike many other holidays, Thanksgiving has changed little over the years. Year after year families gather to give thanks for their blessings, and even in the worst of years there are still things to be thankful for.

............Thanksgiving Celebrations..............
Thanksgiving has been celebrated since before the United States was a nation. Its significance has shifted over the years, as friends and families mark the day in a number of ways.

There are a lot of things to like about Thanksgiving.

• The family togetherness
• The food
• The Parades
• The football games

Check out my PhotoParades to see some of the things that we could be thankful for.

Click here to view the PhotoParade Gallery

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