Story Weave

In 1621, The Pilgrims, who were looking for religious freedom, had to deal with a hard winter. With the Wampanoag’s help, they learned important skills for survival and farming. They celebrated with each other after a good harvest, saying how thankful they were for the harvest’s bounty and their new friendship. A national holiday was made out of this event over time. President Abraham Lincoln declared it in 1863 as a day for Americans to get together with family and friends over a meal to give thanks and enjoy unity.

In the United States, Thanksgiving Day is a holiday that families and friends get together to celebrate all the good things that have happened this year. People get together to eat a meal—often turkey, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie—and think about what they’re grateful for. It stands for unity, gratitude, and the spirit of giving thanks.