Published 20:29 IST, November 26th 2020

Thanksgiving was officially celebrated on this day in 1941 after US President signed bill

The first-ever Thanksgiving tradition dates back to 1621 when the Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay colonies held a feast to thank God for their first harvest.

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On this day vember 26, 1941, President of United States Franklin D. Roosevelt passed a bill making fourth Thursday in vember National Thanksgiving Day. While trition was observed, re wasn’t a specific date of Thanksgiving set by federal law. refore, Roosevelt’s presidency established National Thanksgiving Day. In 1939, month of vember h five Thursdays, which landed trition on 30th. As officials at US National Retail Dry Goods Association complained that it would shrink Christmas celebrations, Roosevelt moved festivity to second-to-last Thursday, creating a stir. However, later US congress cemented fourth Thursday in vember as new official date and celebrated trition accordingly, day came to be recognized as ‘Thanksgiving day’.

However, according to a report by Conversation, first-ever Thanksgiving trition dates back to 1621, when Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay colonies held a feast to thank God for ir first harvest and invited members of Wampaag tribe, ir neighbours. Meanwhile, US General George Washington observed trition on v. 26 in 1789 at 3 Cherry Street, New York, and St. Paul’s Chapel at 209 Broway.

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[Jean Leon Gerome Ferris: First Thanksgiving. First Thanksgiving, reproduction of an oil painting by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris, early 20th century. Credit: Library of Congress, Washington, DC]

[President Franklin D. Roosevelt with his dog. Credit: AP]

Thanksgiving becomes 'law of land'

President Washington chose to celebrate “a day of public thanksgiving and prayer” on recommendation of US joint committee of Senate and House of Representatives. President Lincoln issued a proclamation on vember 28, 1861, which set precedent for America's national day of Thanksgiving. According to a TIME’s report, trition of Thanksgiving became more prominent on anniversary of Washington’s proclamation, and came to be recognised as “day of thankfulness and praise”. Soldiers in midst of a civil war were encourd to observe some time for gratitude on this day. By 19th century, Thanksgiving became “law of land”.