Thanksgiving 2025: Date, History, and Significance
Thanksgiving 2025 will be observed on November 27. This traditional American holiday is known for gatherings centered around turkey, football, and expressing gratitude for the past year.
Origins and Historical Background
Thanksgiving began over four centuries ago as a harvest festival, a time to give thanks for food and survival. Today, it emphasizes coming together with family, friends, and neighbors to share a meal.
Many trace Thanksgiving back to 1621, when the Pilgrims held a harvest celebration in Plymouth, Massachusetts. By the late 1600s, various New England communities observed annual days of thanks.
George Washington called for a national Thanksgiving in 1789, but it was Abraham Lincoln who officially established the holiday in 1863.
Date and Timing
Thanksgiving is always celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November, which means its date changes yearly. In 2025, it falls on Thursday, November 27. The following day is Black Friday, marking the unofficial start of the U.S. holiday shopping season.
The holiday can occur as early as November 22 or as late as November 28, depending on the calendar alignment.
Summary
Thanksgiving has evolved from a harvest festival into a day for gratitude and reunions, held annually on the fourth Thursday of November.
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