With America’s favorite holiday fast approaching, you may be one of the brave folks to take the initiative and volunteer to host your family and friends for Thanksgiving.
You’ll probably already be planning the day, and maybe buying a few essentials to dress the table and give your home a wonderful holiday atmosphere.
While it can be a mixture of excitement and stress, there’s something very special about being able to host those closest to you for a special occasion in your own home.
Fundamental to the art of being a great host on occasions such as Thanksgiving, is being about to stimulate conversation.
These fun facts will help you get the conversation started.
On the move
More than 55 million Americans will travel for this year’s Thanksgiving, according to government estimates.
Not just an American holiday
Thanksgiving is a national holiday in Canada, Grenada, Saint Lucia and Liberia. It’s also celebrated on Norfolk Island, an Australian territory, plus the Philippines and Brazil. But it’s not necessarily celebrated on the same day.
First Thanksgiving
It began as a three-day harvest festival in 1621. Attending were said to be 50 Pilgrims and 90 Wampanoag Indians.
Main course
Turkey wasn’t the original favorite meat for the celebration. Meats such as venison, duck and goose were early dishes. Folks back then also ate pumpkins and cranberries.
It’s official
President Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday on October 3, 1863. He was convinced, at least in part, by the author of Mary Had A Little Lamb, Sarah Joseph Hale. She lobbied the government for 17 years.
Turkey pardon
Most folks think Harry Truman pardoned the first turkey. Not so, apparently. He was the first president to be presented with a turkey by the National Turkey Federation, but he ate it! The first pardon was issued by John F. Kennedy.
Talking Turkey
America has four towns called Turkey. They are found in Arizona, Louisiana, North Carolina and Texas.
Football feast
NFL games have become an essential ingredient of Thanksgiving. The first traditional game was between Yale and Princeton in 1876. The NFL has organized games for every holiday since 1920.