There is one day a year when all Americans stay home with their families and have a big dinner. It is Thanksgiving Day. It is the time when people give thanks to God for the harvest.

We tell the story old and true

Of how they sailed across the blue,

And found a new land to be freeAnd build their

homes quite near the sea.

The pilgrims came across the sea.

And never thought of you and me.

And yet it’s very strange the way

We think of them Thanksgiving Day.

In the hope of a better life, they decided to move out to America. They sailed to a new continent on board the ship “Mayflower”.

Thanksgiving started about 350 years ago with the Pilgrims in the fall of 1621.

On the16th of September, 1620, a small ship called the Mayflower, carrying 102 passengers, sailed west. They were looking for religious freedom.

“Michael, row the boat ashore”

There were people living in America before the pilgrims arrived. These people were the Native American Indians. The Indians began settling in America about 25,000 years ago. They hunted, fished, and farmed to survive. There were many groups, or tribes, and each had its own customs and beliefs.

Greet North American Indiansand

the chief of the Wampanoag

tribe-Massasoit

On November 11, 1620, the Mayflower reached North America. . Only in December the pilgrims found a harbor which became the site of the town they named Plymouth. They had arrived too late in the year, so their first winter was very difficult. Without fresh food many of Pilgrims died.

“Home on the range”Oh, give me a home where the buffalo roam

Where the deer and the antelope playWhere seldom is heard a discouraging word

And the skies are not cloudy all day

Home, home on the rangeWhere the deer and the antelope play

Where seldom is heard a discouraging wordAnd the skies are not cloudy all day

How often at night where the heavens are brightWith the light of the glittering stars

Have I stood there amazed and asked as I gazedIf their glory exceeds that of ours

The following spring the Indians taught them how to hunt, fish, plant and survive in America.

After a successful harvest of 1621, Governor William Bradley decided to hold a special Thanksgiving feast and invited the Indian chief Massosoit and ninety Indian braves to attend

“We are thankful”

• “We are thankful”

Over the river and through the wood,Over the river and through the wood,To grandmother’s house we go.To grandmother’s house we go.The horse knows the way to carry the sleighThe horse knows the way to carry the sleighThrough white and drifted snow.Through white and drifted snow.

Over the river and through the woods,Over the river and through the woods,Oh, how the wind does blow,Oh, how the wind does blow,Hooray for the fun is the pudding done,Hooray for the fun is the pudding done,Hurray for the pumpkin pie.Hurray for the pumpkin pie.

“Over the river and through the wood”

Dance of COWBOY GIRLSDance of COWBOY GIRLS

Nowadays Americans still celebrate Thanksgiving Day in the fall. And Turkey is still the main dish and pumpkin pie is the most popular.

Turkeys Dance

Thanksgiving Parade is an important

tradition. It was first held in the year 1924.

The Parade is famously known for its policy of going on under any condition;

be it rain or shine.

Thanksgiving symbols

Cranberry, is a symbol of thanksgiving. Pilgrims found out a way to sweeten the bitten cranberries with maple sugar. Since that time cranberry sauce is a permanent companion of turkey during thanksgiving feast.

Native Americans taught the pilgrims to grow corns, potatoes, beans. That’s why they became symbols of Thanksgiving, too.

On Thanksgiving Day people decorate their homes with wreaths, fresh and dried flowers.

They also send pretty Thank You cards or beautiful Thanksgiving Day Gifts to people who had done something good for them.