Thanksgiving Day

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Thanksgiving Day
The last Thursday of November
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History

• In 1620 the first colonists, pilgrims,
  from New England came to America and began a new
  life there. It was a very hard life. Many people
  were sick and died during the first winter in the
  cold. Indians taught them to cultivate corns and
  to grow different vegetables and fruits. In the
  autumn of 1621 the colonists had their first
  harvest. It was rather good. The colonists
  decided to have a special dinner. They wanted to
  thank God to give him their thanks for many
  things. It was a difficult year, but people still
  had food to eat. The colonists had a thanksgiving
  dinner (feast) for all the people. It lasted 3
  days. Since that time people have been
  celebrating Thanksgiving Day.

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Traditions
Thanksgiving Day has its own traditions. People
decorate their houses with autumn fruits and
flowers and prepare traditional American food
roast turkey, potatoes and pumpkin. The family
sits at the table during dinner and offer prayer
to the God for his continuous grace. People dress
different colorful costumes and go to parade. It
is also a time for relatives living in different
places to come together and celebrate. In these
days the most American people watch on TV
American football games.

• 
  

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• Thanksgiving is a day when people send loving
  messages and warm wishes to their relatives,
  friends, near and dear ones. It is a day of
  conveying their feelings through Thanksgiving
  cards. The day is a time to show your gratitude
  and respect to your elders, friends. Popular
  gifts include thanksgiving flowers, jewellery,
  baked cookie, chocolate gift baskets, candies,
  wine etc.

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Symbols of Thanksgiving Day
Turkey, corn (or maize), pumpkins and cranberry
sauce are symbols which represent the first
Thanksgiving. Now all of these symbols are drawn
on holiday decorations and greeting cards.
Turkey Turkey is an inseparable part of
Thanksgiving celebration.
Pumpkin Pumpkins are the Thanksgiving favourite
for about 400 years.
Corn The use of corn meant the survival of the
colonies. "Indian corn" as a table or door
decoration represents the harvest and the fall
season.
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Cranberry Sweet-sour cranberry sauce was on the
first Thanksgiving table and is still served
today. Indians taught the colonists how to cook
the berries with sweetener and water to make a
sauce.
Cornucopia Cornucopia is a horn-shaped basket
filled with fruits goodies.
Beans Beans are one of the symbols of
Thanksgiving Day since Pilgrims had learnt to
grow beans.
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Thanksgiving Poem
Orchards have shared their treasures,The fields,
their yellow grain,So open wide the doorway
---Thanksgiving comes again

• The year has turned its circle,
• The seasons come and go.
• The harvest all is gathered in
• And chilly north winds blow.

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Questions

• 1
• What holiday do Americans celebrate
  in the last Thursday of November?

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• 2
• Who came to America in 1620?

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3 How did the pilgrims live in America?
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• 4
• What did Indians teach the pilgrims?

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• 5
• What are the Thanksgiving traditions?

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• 6
• What are the symbols of Thanksgiving Day?

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