2. INTRODUCTION TO THANKSGIVING Thanksgiving Day is a holiday celebrated in November. It is a federal holiday, so schools, banks, post offices, and government offices are closed. Thanksgiving was the first holiday celebrated in America. It was first celebrated in the autumn of 1621 when the Wampanoag Indians and the pilgrims got together for a three-day feast and festival of fun. Today, families celebrate Thanksgiving by eating a big turkey dinner and enjoying pumpkin pie. Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and NFL football games are special Thanksgiving Day events. In 2014, Thanksgiving will be on Thursday, November 27.

3. In 1620, the pilgrims from England wanted to go to a new land for religious freedom. They went to the America in a boat called the Mayflower.

4. After 66 days on the boat, the pilgrims arrived in America at a place now called Plymouth Rock.

5. When the pilgrims arrived to America, there were native people living there. The Native Americans helped them grow food.

6. One year later, after the fruits and vegetables grew, the pilgrims harvested them. To celebrate their first harvest, the decided to have a giant feast.

7. The pilgrims invited the Native Americans to come enjoy the dinner with them.

8. The Native Americans brought deer for the dinner. They ate for three days.

9. The Pilgrims were thankful for the things they had. They were thankful that the Native Americans helped them. This was the first Thanksgiving in America.

10. In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln declared a national day of Thanksgiving. Since then, Americans have officially celebrated Thanksgiving on the fourth (4th) Thursday of November. President Abraham Lincoln

11. This year on November 27th, people all over the USA will eat Thanksgiving dinner with their families to appreciate all of the good things they’ve got.

12. A traditional Thanksgiving dinner includes turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, gravy, green beans, stuffing, apple pie, pumpkin pie…

13. Every year, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade passes through Times Square in Manhattan, NYC.

14. Every Thanksgiving, there are 3 professional American football games that are played. Games are normally played on Sundays, so these games are special for Thanksgiving.

15. Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving. It is a day when people wait in line at their favorite stores for hours to try to buy things on sale.

17. Pilgrims

18. Native Americans

19. Cornucopia (Horn of plenty)

20. Turkey

21. Mayflower

22. Feast

23. What are you thankful for this year???

24. Thanksgiving Links ● http://www.primarygames.com/holidays /thanksgiving/games.php http://www.primarygames.com/holidays /thanksgiving/games.php ● http://www.scholastic.com/scholastic_t hanksgiving/ http://www.scholastic.com/scholastic_t hanksgiving/