Thanksgiving Day is an American holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November, when families gather to share a large meal and express gratitude for the good things in their lives. The centerpiece is usually a roasted turkey, served alongside dishes like stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie.

The holiday commemorates a harvest feast shared between Pilgrims and Wampanoag people in 1621 in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The Pilgrims had endured a harsh winter, and the Wampanoag had taught them crucial survival skills like growing corn and catching local fish. Their three-day celebration included venison, fowl, and native crops. While this wasn't called “Thanksgiving” at the time and the relationship between colonists and Native peoples grew complex and tragic in later years, Americans remember this moment as one of cooperation and gratitude.

President Abraham Lincoln made Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1863, hoping to unite the country during the Civil War. Today, Thanksgiving kicks off the holiday season. Many families have their own traditions: watching football, volunteering at food banks, or going around the table sharing what they're thankful for.