Why do we eat turkey on Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving is a holiday observed on different dates in the United States, Canada, Grenada, Saint Lucia, and Liberia. Originally, it was established as a day to express gratitude and make offerings for the bountiful harvest and the events of the past year.

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Thanksgiving surprises us annually, and although it may seem trivial, the date varies each year - sometimes significantly, making it a legitimate query. Due to Thanksgiving occurring early or late depending on the year, it is crucial to be aware of how much time remains before Turkey Day to ensure all your cherished family Thanksgiving traditions are accommodated. Nevertheless, Thanksgiving was previously observed on the final Thursday of the month.

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What is the reason for eating turkey on Thanksgiving?

Many Americans look forward to Thanksgiving mainly for the delicious food, and turkey is an essential part of any Thanksgiving feast. But why is turkey the traditional choice for this holiday meal? Well, turkeys have several advantages. They are large enough to feed a whole family and are also cost-effective. Turkey not only serves as the main dish on numerous dinner tables but also provides leftovers for sandwiches, soup, and pot pies.

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Although wild turkeys were present in the Plymouth area, there is no clear evidence that they were part of the menu at the 1621 celebration considered the First Thanksgiving by the Pilgrims of Plymouth. The most detailed description of the harvest feast comes from Edward Winslow, a colonist and author of Mourt's Relation, who did not explicitly mention turkey in his first-hand account. He did mention the Pilgrims gathering "wild fowl," which could have referred to ducks or geese as well. Understanding the history of Thanksgiving reveals that while giving thanks and celebrating the harvest was popular in some regions, it was not yet an annual national holiday. Although Presidents occasionally declared Thanksgiving Day celebrations, it was not a widespread tradition to include turkey in the festivities. Alexander Hamilton once emphasized that "No citizen of the U.S. should go without turkey on Thanksgiving Day."

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In 1856, Bradford's journals, which had been lost for a century, were reprinted and well-received by supporters who sought to establish Thanksgiving as a national holiday. Bradford's accounts of the colonists hunting wild turkeys in the autumn of 1621, combined with the fact that turkey is a distinctively American and delicious bird, contributed to its popularity as the preferred Thanksgiving meal for Americans following Lincoln's declaration of Thanksgiving as a national holiday in 1863.

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We appreciate all the sacrifices you have made this year to support and serve others. Sending our love to your family this Thanksgiving. May this holiday be a time for you to relax and contemplate your accomplishments. Wishing you a happy and blessed day.

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Thank You.

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