H APPY T HANKSGIVING Student Name: Envia Ruff Date: November 19 th, 2010 Mr. Jiang, MECPS

W HAT IS THE HISTORY OF T HANKSGIVING ? After arriving in Massachusetts in late November, the Pilgrims were devastated with the harsh winter conditions. After is was over the grateful Pilgrims then declared a three- day feast, to thank God and to celebrate their first harvest. This was America's first Thanksgiving Festival.

W HEN IS IT CELEBRATED ? Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday of October in Canada and on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States.

The traditional Thanksgiving menu often features turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie. On this day people celebrate by giving thanks, praying, eating and being with their families. How do we celebrate?

T RADITION Thanksgiving was historically a religious observation to give thanks to God for helping the pilgrims survive the brutal winter, but is now primarily identified as a secular holiday.

W HAT DO YOU LIKE THE MOST ABOUT T HANKSGIVING ? The thing I like most about Thanksgiving is spending time cooking with my family and listening to stories as we socialize.

M Y W ISHES AND G REETING ON T HANKSGIVING I wish that my family would have a Happy Thanksgiving without any problems, and I am thankful that we made another year without any difficulties.