Thanksgiving Traditions and Rituals
Thanksgiving has lost much of its original religious significance in many American households; instead, it now focuses on cooking and sharing a plentiful meal with family and friends. Turkey, a Thanksgiving staple that has almost become synonymous with the holiday, may or may not have been available when the Pilgrims hosted the first feast in 1621.
According to the National Turkey Federation, nearly 90% of Americans now eat the bird on Thanksgiving, whether roasted, baked, or deep-fried. Stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie are also traditional dishes. Volunteering is a popular Thanksgiving Day activity, and communities frequently hold food drives and free dinners for those in need.
Parades have also become an important part of the holiday in cities and towns across America. Since 1924, Macy's department store has presented New York City's Thanksgiving Day parade, which draws 2 to 3 million spectators along its 2.5-mile route and a massive television audience. Marching bands, performers, elaborate floats depicting various celebrities, and giant balloons shaped like cartoon characters are typical.
Since the mid-twentieth century, and possibly earlier, the president of the United States has "pardoned" one or two Thanksgiving turkeys each year, saving the birds from slaughter and sending them to a farm for retirement. A number of U.S. governors also participate in the annual turkey pardoning ceremony.
