Thanksgiving is a holiday celebrated by many people the United States and Canada. In the United it is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in and marks the start of the Christmas season. people celebrate Thanksgiving to remember the first harvest the pilgrims and Puritans, groups of people from who immigrated to North America in the 1600s. people recreate the first Thanksgiving and dress up pilgrims, puritans, and the Native Americans who are to have helped the new arrivals find food survive their first winter.

Most people, however, see as one day a year to reflect upon they are thankful for. Some families will sit and take turns saying aloud what they are for. An important part of Thanksgiving is families together. Extended family members often travel long distances share the day with their loved ones. In United States Thanksgiving is the busiest travel day the year. People travel in planes, trains, buses, cars to share a very special meal - dinner.

What most Thanksgiving celebrations have in common the food. On Thanksgiving many families prepare large, dinners to share with friends and loved ones. of these dinners use ingredients associated with the harvest, like cranberries, potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, and . Roast turkey is the traditional meat served. It so common that some people call Thanksgiving Day " Day". The turkey is usually served with gravy stuffing. Pies are usually served for dessert. The common pies served are sweet potato, apple, pecan, pumpkin.

Thanksgiving is not just celebrated in the of people's homes. Every year the President of United States pardons a turkey, saving it from someone's meal. In New York City, Macy's, a store, holds a large parade with huge balloons various cartoon characters floating down the street.