Question: What are some traditions of Thanksgiving? Answer : That's a great question! What makes something a tradition? The dictionary defines a tradition as "The passing down of elements of a culture from generation to generation, especially by oral communication." As I learned in our Thanksgiving History category, the first Thanksgiving in Plymouth Colony in 1621 was actually a harvest celebration, a tradition that dates back to ancient times! The colonists invited their Wamapoanoag Native American neighbors to join their traditional English celebration. It was only in the nineteenth century that this event became identified with the American Thanksgiving holiday. Today's Thanksgiving traditions include foods like turkey, cranberries, and mashed potatoes. But probably the most important traditions are getting together with family and friends and giving thanks.
