Thanksgiving Quotes & Prayers
Words of gratitude for the Thanksgiving table.
Thanksgiving traces back to an autumn feast shared in 1621 between the Plymouth colonists and the Wampanoag, after the colony's first successful corn harvest. It didn't become a national holiday until more than two centuries later, when President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a Thanksgiving Day in 1863 during the Civil War. Browse Quotes or find words from Prayers for the table.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Thanksgiving celebrated?
In the United States, Thanksgiving falls on the fourth Thursday of November every year. Canada celebrates its own Thanksgiving earlier, on the second Monday of October, reflecting an earlier harvest season further north.
How did Thanksgiving originate?
The most widely told origin story traces to 1621, when Plymouth Colony Pilgrims and the Wampanoag people shared a harvest feast in present-day Massachusetts. The event is often cited as an early example of cooperation between English colonists and Native Americans, though the modern holiday took shape gradually over the centuries that followed.
Why is turkey the centerpiece of the meal?
Turkey became the traditional main dish partly because it was a large, native bird that was plentiful in autumn and practical for feeding a big gathering. Over time it became so closely tied to the holiday that "turkey day" is a common nickname for Thanksgiving itself.
What is the central theme of the holiday?
At its heart, Thanksgiving is about gratitude - pausing to acknowledge the harvest, family, and good fortune of the year. Many households mark this with spoken thanks around the table before the meal begins.
Who made Thanksgiving an official national holiday in the US?
President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of thanksgiving in 1863, during the Civil War, as a fixed annual observance. The date was later standardized to the fourth Thursday of November by an act of Congress in 1941.
What other customs are associated with Thanksgiving besides the meal?
Beyond the family dinner, the holiday is associated with parades (most famously New York's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade), American football games, and a moment where many families go around the table naming what they're thankful for. It also traditionally marks the start of the year-end holiday and shopping season in the US.
Is Thanksgiving only celebrated in North America?
Formal Thanksgiving holidays as a fixed civic observance are mainly associated with the United States and Canada, on their respective dates. Similar harvest-festival traditions expressing gratitude exist in other cultures worldwide, though not always under the same name or date.
How can I share Thanksgiving wishes with family and friends?
Many people send short thankful messages or heartfelt notes to family and friends who can't be at the table in person. Thanksgiving wishes and quotes are common ways to put that gratitude into words for cards, texts, or social posts.
Are prayers a common part of Thanksgiving?
Yes, saying grace or a thanksgiving prayer before the meal is a long-standing tradition in many households, regardless of which origin story is followed. Thanksgiving prayers often focus on gratitude for family, health, and provision over the past year.
What's a simple way to mark Thanksgiving on social media?
A short thankful caption or status update is a common, low-effort way to mark the day publicly. Thanksgiving status updates typically pair a line of gratitude with well-wishes for whoever is reading.
Lincoln's proclamation, credited in part to writer and editor Sarah Hale, spoke of gratitude for the year's blessings rather than the Pilgrim story most people associate with the holiday today. Whether you're hosting or traveling, the Wishes collection has lines for the people you're grateful for, and the Status page works for a quick post.
