Thanksgiving History and Traditions

The video explores the history of Thanksgiving, starting with the first celebration in 1621, which was a three-day festival. It wasn't until 1789 that George Washington declared a national holiday, but it became an annual tradition in the 19th century thanks to Sarah Josepha Hale. Abraham Lincoln set the date in November, and FDR later adjusted it to boost retail sales. A unique tradition began in 1989 with the pardoning of turkeys by the President.

What was the main purpose of the first Thanksgiving celebration in 1621?

• To mark the arrival of the Pilgrims in America

• To celebrate the Pilgrims' first successful harvest

• To sign a peace treaty with Native Americans

• To establish a new holiday tradition

Which of the following was NOT on the menu at the first Thanksgiving?

• Fish

• Turkey

• Venison

• Cranberries

When was the first national Thanksgiving holiday declared?

• 1863

• 1789

• 1621

• 1941

Who played a significant role in making Thanksgiving a national holiday?

• George Washington

• Sarah Josepha Hale

• Abraham Lincoln

• Franklin D. Roosevelt

What was Sarah Josepha Hale's contribution to Thanksgiving?

• She organized the first Thanksgiving feast

• She campaigned to make it a national holiday

• She introduced turkey to the menu

• She was the first to celebrate it annually

In which year did President Abraham Lincoln establish Thanksgiving as an annual holiday?

• 1939

• 1863

• 1941

• 1789

Why did President Franklin D. Roosevelt move Thanksgiving up a week in 1939?

• To extend the Christmas shopping season

• To avoid bad weather

• To coincide with another national holiday

• To align with the Pilgrims' original celebration

When was Thanksgiving officially fixed on the fourth Thursday of November?

• 1989

• 1863

• 1939

• 1941

What unique tradition began with President George H.W. Bush in 1989?

• Pardoning a turkey

• Holding a Thanksgiving concert

• Hosting a national Thanksgiving parade

• Lighting a Thanksgiving tree

What happens to the turkeys that are pardoned by the President?

• They are kept as pets in the White House

• They retire on a farm

• They are released into the wild

• They are sent to a zoo