Thanksgiving

Here is the American celebration that only exports itself to the world through Black Friday!

Thanksgiving, a purely American celebration, is undoubtedly the most prominent celebration in the United States, even more significant than Christmas or Halloween!

Why?

While Christmas is a worldwide Christian celebration and Halloween finds its origins in Ireland, Thanksgiving was born in the United States. It is not a manufactured celebration or a legend with supernatural beings.

It is a celebration whose protagonists are primarily human.

A celebration of humanity and its potential.

Let’s take a closer look at a festival that might not be so unique in the world.

The Mayflower's journey

The Mayflower’s story dates back to the early 17th century when English Pilgrims sought refuge in North America to escape religious persecution in England.

Pilgrims and Religious Persecution

In the early 1600s, a group of English religious dissidents, known as the Pilgrims, separated from the Church of England due to doctrinal differences. These Pilgrims, also known as the Pilgrim Fathers, sought religious freedom and the opportunity to practice their faith according to their own convictions.

Facing religious persecution in England, some Pilgrims decided to flee to Holland, known for its religious tolerance (and still renowned for it today among connoisseurs). In 1608, a group of Pilgrims settled in Leiden, Netherlands, where they could practice their faith peacefully for about 12 years.

Challenges in Holland

Although the Pilgrims found religious freedom in Holland, life was not without challenges. They had to contend with economic difficulties and concerns about preserving their cultural and religious identity in a foreign country.

Colonization Project in America

In search of a better life and eager to preserve their identity, the Pilgrims considered settling in North America, a relatively unexplored region at the time. They obtained a charter from the Virginia Company to establish a colony in Virginia, but financial issues led them to negotiate with the company.

Voyage Aboard the Mayflower (1620)

Finally, in September 1620, about 102 Pilgrims, men, women, and children, boarded the Mayflower in Plymouth, England. This ship was a 180-ton former cargo ship converted for transatlantic travel.

The Atlantic crossing was perilous. Challenging weather conditions, cramped quarters, and diseases made the journey particularly difficult. Despite these hardships, the Mayflower reached the shores of North America in November 1620.

Establishment of Plymouth

Instead of the planned Virginia colony, the Mayflower anchored off the coast of Massachusetts in a region known as New England. The Pilgrims established the Plymouth Colony, thus becoming one of the first permanent European settlements in the region.

A harsh first year

The first year of the Pilgrims in Plymouth, after their arrival aboard the Mayflower in 1620, was extremely challenging for several reasons, ranging from adverse weather conditions to diseases and a shortage of resources.

Harsh Winter Conditions

Upon their arrival in December 1620, the Pilgrims faced an exceptionally cold and harsh winter in New England. Unprepared for the extreme weather conditions, they had to endure snowstorms, fierce winds, and intense cold without having had time to build sturdy shelters.

Anecdote: Some Pilgrims had to live in very precarious conditions, with poorly insulated temporary shelters facing the winter elements. This contributed to health issues and discomfort.

Lack of Food

The Mayflower arrived too late in the season for the Pilgrims to cultivate significant crops. The provisions brought from England quickly dwindled, and hunting and fishing were challenging during the winter.

Anecdote: The Pilgrims were forced to ration their food severely. Some even suffered from hunger, leading to physical weakness and health problems.

Diseases and High Mortality

Unsanitary conditions aboard the Mayflower during the journey contributed to the spread of diseases. Upon arriving in Plymouth, the Pilgrims were already weakened by outbreaks of diseases such as smallpox and pneumonia. The combination of these diseases with the difficult conditions led to high mortality.

Anecdote: Approximately half of the Pilgrims perished during the first year, including many children and family members. This loss created a heavy emotional burden for those who remained.

Native Americans to the rescue

The Early Relations Between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoags: A Crucial Alliance for Survival

In the face of devastating challenges during their first year in Plymouth, the Pilgrims found an unexpected and essential ally in the Native Americans, particularly the Wampanoags led by Chief Massasoit. This alliance played a crucial role in the Pilgrims’ survival and laid the foundation for a complex intercultural relationship.

The Pilgrims and the Wampanoags

Massasoit (Chief of the Wampanoags): Massasoit, the chief of the Wampanoags, played a key role in establishing early relations. Initially observing the Pilgrims with suspicion, he quickly realized that an alliance with them could be mutually beneficial.

Squanto (Interpreter and Mediator): Squanto, a Native American from the Pawtuxet tribe, was captured by English explorers before the Pilgrims’ arrival. Speaking English, he became a crucial interpreter and taught the Pilgrims vital skills such as corn cultivation and hunting.

The First Meeting in the Fall of 1621

After a harsh winter, the Pilgrims had their first significant meeting with the Wampanoags in the spring of 1621. Massasoit and a few men approached the colony, leading to a diplomatic encounter.

Event: A peace treaty was established between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoags, forming an alliance that lasted for several decades. This alliance was strengthened through trade and a mutual commitment to defend each other in case of external threats.

Squanto’s Crucial Assistance

Agricultural Teaching: Squanto taught the Pilgrims cultivation methods adapted to the local soil, including the Three Sisters technique (corn, beans, and squash), greatly improving their harvests.

Cultural Mediator: Squanto also acted as a cultural mediator, helping to prevent misunderstandings between the Pilgrims and the Native Americans. His knowledge of English facilitated communication.

The First Thanksgiving

The success of the first harvest was celebrated by the Pilgrims with a grand feast, often considered the first Thanksgiving.

Event: The Pilgrims invited Massasoit and the Wampanoags to share the feast, marking a moment of camaraderie and mutual recognition.

Evolution of the Relationship

Fortified Alliance: Over the months, the alliance between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoags strengthened. They exchanged goods, skills, and cooperated for common goals.

Persistent Challenges: Despite the alliance providing some comfort, the Pilgrims continued to face challenges, including food shortages and diseases. However, the relationship with the Wampanoags remained a key factor in their survival.

Historical Legacy

The relationship between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoags during the first year of colonization laid the groundwork for a relatively peaceful coexistence, at least initially. However, over time, tensions emerged between European settlers and Native populations as more colonists arrived and territorial pressures increased. Nevertheless, this early alliance left a lasting imprint on the history of North American colonization.

The first Thanksgiving

The First Thanksgiving: A Celebration of Harvest and Friendship (Fall 1621)

When?

The Thanksgiving feast took place over a three-day period, from November 21 to 23, 1621. While the exact date is not known, it is estimated that the celebration occurred in late autumn, following the harvest.

Who?

The Pilgrims: Approximately 50 survivors of the Mayflower, led by the colony’s governor, William Bradford, participated in the feast.

The Wampanoags: Led by Chief Massasoit, the Wampanoags were invited and played an essential role in the celebration.

What? (The Feast)

Resource Sharing

The Pilgrims and the Wampanoags contributed to the preparation of the feast by bringing food.

The Native Americans hunted turkeys and deer, while the Pilgrims provided dishes such as fish, seafood, vegetables, and grains.

Ceremonies and Activities

The celebration included religious ceremonies, games, and social activities.

Participants expressed gratitude for the bountiful harvest and the success of their cooperation.

Turkeys and Game

Turkeys were likely a centerpiece of the feast, but other meats, such as deer and fish, were also served.

Vegetables and Grains

The Pilgrims cooked vegetables such as peas, squash, and carrots. Grains, including corn, were also a key element of the meal.

Seafood

Being close to the ocean, seafood such as oysters and fish was likely included in the menu.

Cultural Significance

The Thanksgiving feast was not just a meal but also a manifestation of gratitude and friendship between two different cultures. It symbolized peace and cooperation, highlighting mutual understanding between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoags.

Thanksgiving Continuity

Although the term « Thanksgiving » was not used at the time to describe this event, this celebration laid the foundations for the Thanksgiving tradition that has evolved over centuries in the United States. Today, Thanksgiving is a national holiday where families come together to express gratitude and share a festive meal, perpetuating the spirit of cooperation and friendship that characterized the first Thanksgiving at Plymouth.

Over the decades following the first Thanksgiving, the celebration was not regular.

It was only in 1863, during the American Civil War, that President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed Thanksgiving as a national holiday, establishing the last Thursday of November as the day of celebration.

In 1941, Congress set Thanksgiving to the fourth Thursday of November, where it remains today.

The Meaning of Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving has become a moment of reflection and gratitude, an occasion to acknowledge the blessings and achievements of the past year. It is a time when people express their appreciation for family, friends, health, and other positive aspects of their lives.

The Tradition of the Meal

Traditional Dinner: The Thanksgiving meal tradition typically includes a roasted turkey, side dishes such as mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, vegetables, and desserts like pumpkin pie.

Family Gathering: Most people celebrate Thanksgiving by gathering with family. It’s a time when loved ones rejoice in each other’s company and share a hearty meal.

Parades and Community Events

Parades: Thanksgiving parades, like the famous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, are annual events. These parades often feature decorated floats, giant balloons, and musical performances.

Volunteering and Charities: Many people dedicate part of their day to volunteer activities, assisting the less fortunate during the holiday season.

American Football

Football Games: American football matches are also an integral part of the Thanksgiving tradition. Many families watch games together, and schools and communities often organize football parties.

Regional Celebrations

Cultural Variations: Thanksgiving celebrations can vary based on regions and cultures in the United States. For example, some families may incorporate traditional dishes from their cultural background into the meal.

Local Events: Some places host special events, festivals, or markets to celebrate Thanksgiving uniquely in their community.

Modernization and Change

Over time, the meaning of Thanksgiving has evolved to reflect changes in society. Some choose to celebrate in non-traditional ways, opting for vegetarian meals or traveling instead of staying at home.

Black Friday

Black Friday was created to boost sales and mark the unofficial beginning of the holiday shopping season. Several factors contributed to the emergence of this commercial tradition, and its proximity to Thanksgiving Thursday is linked to how the holiday season is traditionally observed in the United States.

An accounting origin

One of the most widespread theories is related to accounting. Traditionally, businesses used physical accounting ledgers to record transactions. Losses were typically noted in red, while profits were recorded in black. The day after Thanksgiving, many retailers would shift from red to black, indicating the start of the holiday shopping season and a period of increased profits.

Traffic origin

Another theory suggests that « Black Friday » could refer to intense traffic and street congestion that occurred the day after Thanksgiving. Streets were often crowded with people heading to stores to take advantage of holiday sales.

Philadelphia Police origin

Another explanation dates back to the 1960s in Philadelphia. According to this theory, the city’s police used the term « Black Friday » to describe the chaos in the streets and stores the day after Thanksgiving due to the massive influx of people and the start of Christmas shopping.

Beginning of the holiday shopping season

Black Friday is often considered the day when retailers shift from « red » to « black » in terms of profits, as mentioned in the accounting explanation. Retailers offer massive discounts to attract consumers and encourage them to start their Christmas shopping, marking the official beginning of the holiday shopping season.

Thanksgiving tradition

In the United States, Thanksgiving Thursday is a holiday where families gather for a feast. Historically, it marked the beginning of the holiday celebration period. By setting Black Friday the next day, retailers capitalize on the fact that many people have time off and begin turning their attention to Christmas shopping.

Official Day Off

The Friday following Thanksgiving is typically a day off for many people in the United States. It’s a day when many employees have extra time off and can visit stores to take advantage of special deals. This contributes to the massive influx of customers and the creation of a frenzied atmosphere that often characterizes Black Friday.

An established tradition

Over the years, Black Friday has become a tradition ingrained in American culture. Consumers eagerly anticipate this day of exceptional discounts, and many retailers view Black Friday as an opportunity to boost their sales and attract new customers.

The evolution toward Cyber Monday

With the advent of e-commerce, the concept of « Cyber Monday » has also emerged. This day, following Black Friday, emphasizes online sales and provides consumers with another opportunity to benefit from substantial discounts, often with specific promotions for online purchases.

Thanksgiving