Thanksgiving Day

Is a national holiday celebrated in Canada and the United States. It was originally celebrated as a day of giving thanks for the blessing of the harvest and of the preceding year. Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday of October in Canada and on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States. Several other places around the world observe similar celebrations. Although Thanksgiving has historical roots in religious and cultural traditions, it has long been celebrated in a secular manner as well.

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Día de Acción de Gracias (Thanksgiving en inglés) es una celebración tradicional de Estados Unidos, que se celebra todos los años el cuarto Jueves del mes de Noviembre.

Generalmente en esta festividad se reúnen en torno a una mesa familiares y amigos a compartir un banquete. Aunque sus orígenes son religiosos, está considerada como una festividad secular.

La mayoría de personas en los Estados Unidos celebran esta fiesta con reuniones familiares en sus hogares donde preparan un banquete. En muchas casas es común ofrecer una oración de gracias. El plato principal tradicional para la cena es un gran pavo asado u horneado. Este pavo tradicionalmente va acompañado con un relleno hecho de pan de maíz y salvia. Se sirve tradicionalmente con una jalea o salsa de arándanos rojos.

Anualmente la cadena de tiendas departamentales Macy's realiza un gran desfile por las calles de Manhattan, Nueva York, que atrae a millones de personas a la avenida Broadway para ver los enormes globos gigantes y presenciar las actuaciones de artistas invitados.

La mayoría de negocios y oficinas están cerrados en este día. Algunos almacenes, centros comerciales, restaurantes y bares permanecen abiertos. El viernes siguiente a la fiesta es tradicional la apertura de la temporada de compras navideñas. Este día se conoce como Viernes Negro. Almacenes y tiendas todos ofrecen precios de rebaja y mucha gente acude desde las primeras horas del día a los centros comerciales.

IN ENGLISH

Thanksgiving Day is the fourth Thursday in November, but many Americans take a day of vacation on the following Friday to make a four-day weekend, during which they may travel long distances to visit family and friends.

The holiday dates back to 1621, the year after the Puritans arrived in Massachusetts, determined to practice their dissenting religion without interference. After a rough winter, in which about half of them died, they turned for help to neighboring Indians, who taught them how to plant corn and other crops. The next fall's bountiful harvest inspired the Pilgrims to give thanks by holding a feast.

The Thanksgiving feast became a national tradition — not only because so many other Americans have found prosperity but also because the Pilgrims' sacrifices for their freedom still captivate the imagination.

To this day, Thanksgiving dinner almost always includes some of the foods served at the first feast: roast turkey, cranberry sauce, potatoes, pumpkin pie. Before the meal begins, families or friends usually pause to give thanks for their blessings, including the joy of being united for the occasion.

Mayflower

READING ACTIVITY

In 1620, a big group of Pilgrims escaped from England on a ship called the Mayflower, and

they sailed to Plymouth, Massachusetts. They wanted to start a new life. It was very, very cold

in Plymouth and only some of the Pilgrims survived the winter.

The Native Americans helped them to grow food and hunt for fish. In 1621, the Pilgrims and

the Native Americans had a feast together to give thanks for the good harvest and their

friendship.

Today, people all over the USA celebrate Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday in November.

Thanksgiving dinner is a special meal. People usually eat roast turkey, cranberry sauce and

potatoes. Pumpkin pie is a typical Thanksgiving dessert. Before the meal begins, families and

friends give thanks for all the good things from the year.

COPY AND ANSWER THE QUESTIONS IN THE NOTEBOOK.

(1) Where did the Pilgrims escape from?
(2) What was the ship called?
(3) Where did the Pilgrims sail to?
(4) Where is Plymouth?
(5) How many Pilgrims survived the winter?
(6) Who helped the Pilgrims to get food?
(7) What did the Pilgrims and the Native Americans do together to
celebrate the good harvest and their friendship?
(8) In which year was the first Thanksgiving?
(9) When do people in the USA celebrate Thanksgiving?
(10) What do people usually eat for Thanksgiving dinner?
(11) What is a typical Thanksgiving dessert?
(12) What do people usually do before the meal?

Thanksgiving from carlosuceira

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