Thanksgiving and all you need to know!
Thanksgiving is a popular North American holiday also it is increasing in Europe and in this article we will illustrate everything you need to know about Thanksgiving so as not to be caught unprepared.
A centuries-long history
Thanksgiving celebration, ringraziamento in Italian, has a long tradition. History tells us about the first Thanksgiving celebrated by pilgrims in Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1621.
Pilgrims in the New World had brought native seeds and animals from their lands that unfortunately did not survive the American climate.
American Indians, the indigenous people of the Wampanoag, offered their seeds and animals, including the famous turkey, to pilgrims to ensure them a favorable harvest and survival.
The pilgrims decided to thank the Lord for their lucky harvest and from that moment on the holiday became more and more widespread and important in the United States and Canada.
Thanksgiving: dates to remember
Thanksgiving, in the United States, is celebrated on the last Thursday of November.
In United States historys, two presidents have been particularly important in defining this celebration:
- George Washington proclaimed the holiday in 1789
- Abraham Lincoln governed the festival every last Thursday in November in 1863
Thanksgiving today
Thanksgiving is still an occasion of thanks and gratitude for what we have and to bring the family together around a table.
In the United States it is a national holiday, schools and offices close to allow everyone to get together with family and prepare a big lunch.
What we need on the table to celebrate Thanksgiving
For a traditional Thanksgiving feast on the table these delights cannot be missing:
- turkey
- cranberry sauce
- potatoes
- baked sweet potatoes
- mess of meat
- vegetables
- pumpkin pie
Turkey is the cross and the delight of any Thanksgiving dinner.
Turkeys are large birds and are served stuffed, the preparation not only takes a lot of experience but also a lot of time!
A true test of the cook for all American households!
A curiosity about Thanksgiving: the turkeys pardoned by the President
Over the years there has been much discussion about turkey life and their massive holiday consumption.
Many farmers sent turkeys as gifts to the White House, so many that the President of the United States did not know what to do with them.
In the 1980s, the tradition of pardoning two turkeys began, that is, to not sacrifice them for the banquet but letting them live their entire life on the farm.
What you may not know is that every year on the White House website you can vote for your favorite turkey name!
In 2018, the rescued turkeys were called Peas and Carrots and were pardoned in an official ceremony by President Donald Trump.
The turkeys of 2019 instead were called Bread and Butter.
Thanksgiving in Europe
In Europe, various American citizens gather to celebrate this holiday.
Lunch takes place strictly at home and not at the restaurant and is an opportunity to meet your family but also to gather your closest friends around the table.
The stuffed turkey tradition is less widespread in the old continent but surely thanking for our fortunes is transversal and a good habit.
We are waiting for you in Tuscany for a happy Thanksgiving
At Villa Campestri we are grateful for all our fortunes and the beauty of the place where we live and from our hills we wish a Happy Thanksgiving to all our North American friends!
We are waiting for you at Villa Campestri Olive Oil Resort to celebrate together!
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