Thanksgiving Day
PR · 2027
About Thanksgiving Day
Thanksgiving is a national holiday celebrated in the United States on the fourth Thursday of November and in Canada on the second Monday of October. It originated as a harvest festival and day of giving thanks for the blessings of the past year.
The American Thanksgiving tradition traces back to a 1621 celebration at Plymouth Colony, where Pilgrim settlers and Wampanoag Native Americans shared an autumn harvest feast. It became a national holiday in 1863 when President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed it during the Civil War.
Canadian Thanksgiving has similar harvest origins and was influenced partly by American traditions, though it is celebrated earlier in October when the harvest season ends in Canada's colder climate.
Quick Facts
- Date 2027
- November 25, 2027
- Day
- Thursday
- Type
- Public
- Scope
- National
- Fixed Date
- No — date changes each year
- Local Name
- Día de Acción de Gracias
- Traditions
- Turkey dinner · Macy's Parade · NFL football · Giving thanks
When is Thanksgiving Day?
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | November 27, 2025 | Thursday |
| 2026 | November 26, 2026 | Thursday |
| 2027This year | November 25, 2027 | Thursday |
4-Day Long Weekend
Because Thanksgiving Day falls on a Thursday, it creates a 4-day long weekend from Thursday, November 25 to Sunday, November 28.
How is Thanksgiving Day Celebrated?
Thanksgiving is primarily a family holiday centered on a large festive meal. The traditional Thanksgiving dinner features roast turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, and pumpkin pie. It is the most traveled holiday in the United States, with tens of millions crossing the country to be with family.
The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City is a beloved tradition dating to 1924, featuring giant character balloons, floats, and performances. NFL football games on Thanksgiving are another long-standing American tradition, with games broadcast nationally throughout the day.
Did You Know?
- •The US consumes approximately 46 million turkeys each Thanksgiving, accounting for about 18% of annual turkey production.
- •The presidential turkey pardon tradition, where the US president pardons a turkey from being eaten, dates back to the 1940s.
- •Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, has been one of the busiest shopping days in the US since the 1950s.
- •Canada's Thanksgiving predates the American holiday — it was first celebrated in 1578 by Martin Frobisher.
- •Sarah Josepha Hale lobbied for 17 years before President Lincoln established Thanksgiving as a national holiday in 1863.
Other Holidays in PR 2027
Frequently Asked Questions
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