One
The first Thanksgiving was celebrated in 1621 as a harvest festival. It included 50 Pilgrims, 90 Wampanoag Native Americans and lasted three days. Historians believe that only five women were present.
Two
The first Thanksgiving celebration was not in November! In fact, some historians suggest it was originally held in mid-October, similar to the present-day Canadian Thanksgiving. It was President Lincoln who set the November date in order to coincide with the Pilgrims landing on Plymouth Rock.
Three
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was originally called the “Macy’s Christmas Parade” to kick off the holiday shopping season. Held in 1924, the first parade included monkeys, bears, camels, and elephants borrowed from the Central Park Zoo instead of the traditional character balloons we know today.
Four
On Thanksgiving Day, you probably expect to be tired after eating turkey, attributable to claims made about the amino acid, tryptophan. But the holiday bird is not actually to blame. The reason you can’t imagine doing anything else but watching football on the couch is just because you overate. Your body shuts down and sleep is desirable due to a phenomenon called “postprandial fatigue,” commonly referred to as a food coma.
Five
One of the most popular Thanksgiving traditions is going around the table and sharing those things for which you are thankful. I, for one, am thankful for family, friends, good health and the work that I do – building families! This year, I also pray for peace in the world.
Wishing you and your families a very Happy Thanksgiving!