Thanksgiving: Gratitude & Community 

The months of November and October (in Canada)  marks a tradition held very close to many North Americans. Thanksgiving is not only a time to enjoy delicious food and time off work, but also a time to be thankful for the people and privileges we have. Traditions related to Thanksgiving include a large turkey dinner, watching sports events, shopping, and donating food and time to local charities.  

 Beginning in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1621, the history of Thanksgiving starts with the meeting between settlers from England and Wampanoag people. The two distinctly different groups shared a meal together to celebrate the settlers first harvest in America, much of which could not have happened without the help of the Wampanoag people. For decades after this, the celebration spread around the United States.However, It wasn´t until 1863, under President Abraham Lincon, that Thanksgiving became a national holiday celebrated the last Thursday in November.  

 For North American expats living in Spain, the tradition continues with organised dinners known as ¨Friendsgivings¨ where friends and strangers come together to enjoy a meal and good times. One tradition that has made its way to Spain are the Black Friday sales that happen the Friday after Thanksgiving.  

 Thanksgiving is not without its controversies. Not all North Americans see it as a time for celebration. For many it’s a time for reflection and reconciliation for the mistreatment of the Indigenous People who lived on the land centuries before the first settlers. Many historians  

have also called into question the legitimacy for the history of the first Thanksgiving as well.  

Ultimately, Thanksgiving serves as a reminder of the importance of gratitude, tradition, and community, bringing people together to reflect on their blessings and the connections that enrich their lives.