History of Thanksgiving (5:33)
Although Thanksgiving celebrations dated back to the first European settlements in America, it was not until the 1860s that Abraham Lincoln declared the last Thursday of November to be a national holiday.
Videos (14)
-
History of Thanksgiving
History of ThanksgivingVideo Clip (5:33)
Video Clip (5:33)
Although Thanksgiving celebrations dated back to the first European settlements in America, it was not until the 1860s that Abraham Lincoln declared the last Thursday of November to be a national holiday.
-
Thanksgiving Becomes a Holiday
Thanksgiving Becomes a HolidayVideo Clip (2:01)
Video Clip (2:01)
Early Puritans observed Thanksgiving days of prayer, but Sarah Josepha Hale's crusade for a national day of thanks is what ultimately gave us Thanksgiving.
-
Mayflower: Deconstructed
Mayflower: DeconstructedVideo Clip (2:35)
Video Clip (2:35)
How many people were on the Mayflower? And how long did it take for them to get to Plymouth? Get the facts.
-
The Mayflower
The MayflowerVideo Clip (2:18)
Video Clip (2:18)
From the Pilgrims' reasons for leaving Europe to the treacherous journey across the Atlantic, musician and artist Jeffrey Lewis puts to song the story of the Mayflower.
-
History of the Thanksgiving Day Parade
History of the Thanksgiving Day ParadeVideo Clip (2:51)
Video Clip (2:51)
The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade has been marching since 1924.
-
Thanksgiving Day Parade
Thanksgiving Day ParadeVideo Clip (2:35)
Video Clip (2:35)
The Thanksgiving Day Parade is a 48-hour whirlwind of activity.
-
Thanksgiving Day Parade Tech
Thanksgiving Day Parade TechVideo Clip (3:15)
Video Clip (3:15)
At the Macy's Studio in Hoboken, NJ, technicians work year round to construct floats and balloons for the Thanksgiving Day Parade.
-
First Football Broadcast
First Football BroadcastVideo Clip (1:53)
Video Clip (1:53)
The University of Detroit Stadium hosted the first broadcasted Thanksgiving Day football game in 1934, pitting the Detroit Lions against the Chicago Bears and sparking a new tradition.
-
Pumpkin Pie
Pumpkin PieVideo Clip (3:23)
Video Clip (3:23)
The Little Pie company in New York City bakes over 5,000 pumpkin pies every Thanksgiving.
-
Thanksgiving Turkey
Thanksgiving TurkeyVideo Clip (3:35)
Video Clip (3:35)
In this Holiday Foods video clip we learn about Thanksgiving traditions and about turkey. David Rosengarten talks about a new trend that has come up with turkey. Today many people are deep frying their birds.
-
Here Come the Cowboys
Here Come the CowboysVideo Clip (2:00)
Video Clip (2:00)
The Detroit Lions have been playing football on Thanksgiving Day since 1934. But what about the Cowboys? NFL Films researcher Chris Willis and football commentator Sal Paolantonio explain how the Dallas Cowboys joined in the Detroit Lions' tradition.
-
Turkey Tech
Turkey TechVideo Clip (1:14)
Video Clip (1:14)
At the Jennie-O turkey store, getting hens from the farm to your table is a highly specialized process.
-
Turducken
TurduckenVideo Clip (1:24)
Video Clip (1:24)
Hebert's Meats in Lousiana claims to have been the first to create this 18-pound combination of duck, chicken and turkey.
-
Jennie-O Turkey
Jennie-O TurkeyVideo Clip (1:30)
Video Clip (1:30)
Find out how the Jennie-O turkey store prepares for the Thanksgiving rush.
Photo Galleries (1)
-
Massachusetts
Massachusetts(9 Photos)
9 Photos
History.com's state gallery for Massachusetts. Learn more about the state symbols and famous landmarks.
Most Popular Videos on History.com
-
History of Valentine's Day
(3:49)
Newest Videos on History.com
-
Vietnam in HD Preview
(2:00)
-
Two For the Road
(1:48)
-
HISTORY says Thanks
(2:47)
Read More about Thanksgiving
In 1621, Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Indians shared a harvest feast, acknowledged as one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations.
GoRelated Shows
-
America The Story of Us
America The Story of Us is an epic 12-hour television event that tells the extraordinary story of how America was invented.
Shop HISTORY
-
-
Desperate Crossing: The Untold Story of the Mayflower DVD
Own this riveting documentary about the epic saga of the Pilgrims.
$24.95
-
Email Updates
Keep up with the latest History shows, online features, special offers and more.
Sign up
