thanksgiving day
Transcript: Thanksgiving Day By: Kokulan and Gagan Where is it celebrated? Thanksgiving is celebrated in the folliwing countries: - Canada - The United States of America - Liberia - Netherlands - Norfolk Islands What do they celebrate? Thanksgiving is a North American harvest festival. It is celebrated as an act of gratitude to God for bountiful crops and good health. However, Canadians do not celebrate thanksgiving for harvest. They celebrate it for Martin Frobishers safe arrival after attempting to find a northwest passage to the pacific ocean in 1958. When is it celebrated? This year Canadian Thanksgiving was celebrated on Monday October 10, 2011. (yesterday) Second Monday in October (Canada) First Thursday in November (Liberia) Last Wednesday in November (Norfolk Islands) Fourth Thursday in November (USA , Netherlands) Why is it celebrated as a day of significance? Thanksgiving symbolizes the values of love, gratitude, respect and honour. It gives families and communites a chance to sit down and have meal together, while bringing a feeling of togetherness and care for one another. On Thursday, January 31, 1957, the Canadian Parliament proclaimed: "A Day of General Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed – to be observed on the 2nd Monday in October." Who celebrates it? Thanksgiving is a statutory hoilday in Canada, with the exceptions of the atlantic provinces. (Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia). It is a cultural holiday and does not have to do with religion. Anyone can celebrate thanksgiving. It was first celebrated in America after the Native Americans helped the pilgrims survive their first brutal winter in Plymouth, New England. They had a feast to give thanks to the Native americans and god for a good harvest. The thanksgiving feast usually consists of turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, gravy, yams, mashed potatoes, corn and pie. It is served at mid-day or early afternoon. How can we learn from this day of significance? Thanksgiving reminds us all about the importance of family and history. It allows us to spend quality time with our loved ones and gives everyone the opportunity to say thank you, whether it be to our parents, friends, neighbours, teachers, or god. What are you thankful for? Interesting Facts -91% of Americans eat turkey on thanksgiving. -Benjamin Franklin wanted the turkey to be the national bird of USA -20% of all cranberries consumed, are consumed on thanksgiving. - Some historians believe that the Pilgrims ended up massacring the Native Americans. Funny Thanksgiving Quotes I love thanksgiving turkey. Its the only time in Los Angelas where you see natural breasts. - Arnold Schwarzenegger I celebrated thanksgiving in an old fashioned way. I invited everyone in my neighborhood to my house. We had an enourmous feast, and then I killed them and took their land. - Jon Stewart The End