Thanksgiving 2025: Date and Significance
Thanksgiving 2025 will be celebrated on Thursday, November 27. This traditional American holiday centers on gratitude, family gatherings, and shared meals.
Origins and Historical Background
The holiday traces back over four centuries, originally as a harvest celebration to thank for food and survival. The first known event was in 1621, when Pilgrims in Plymouth, Massachusetts, held a feast after their harvest, according to Britannica.
By the late 1600s, many New England communities observed annual days of thanks. In 1789, George Washington proclaimed a national Thanksgiving, but it became an official annual holiday only in 1863, when Abraham Lincoln formalized it.
Modern Observance and Date Variability
Thanksgiving always falls on the fourth Thursday of November, which means the exact date changes each year. In 2025, it is on November 27. The day after Thanksgiving is known as Black Friday, marking the informal start of the U.S. holiday shopping season.
Depending on the calendar, Thanksgiving can occur as early as November 22 or as late as November 28.
“Thanksgiving is, at heart, a harvest holiday. It began as a moment to give thanks for food and survival, but today it is more about gathering - family, friends, neighbors - and pausing for a shared meal.”
Summary
Thanksgiving 2025, celebrated on November 27, continues its tradition as a day of gratitude and reunion, evolving from its 17th-century harvest roots to a modern celebration of togetherness.
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