Thanksgiving Traditions
This annual parade in New York City, featuring giant balloons and floats, is a hallmark of Thanksgiving Day.
What is the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade?
This bird is traditionally served as the main dish at Thanksgiving dinners across the United States.
What is turkey?
This classic song, often sung during Thanksgiving, describes a journey over the river to visit grandparents for the holiday.
What is "Over the River and Through the Woods"?
The Pilgrims, who celebrated the first Thanksgiving in 1621, were a group of settlers who arrived in America on this ship.
What is the Mayflower?
This sport is most commonly associated with Thanksgiving Day, with professional games being played every year.
What is football?
Families often participate in this tradition during Thanksgiving dinner, where they share personal reflections on what they're grateful for.
What is going around the table and saying what you're thankful for?
This spiced dessert made with a popular fall squash is a staple at many Thanksgiving tables.
What is pumpkin pie?
This lively song, originally written by James Lord Pierpont in 1857, is now considered both a Thanksgiving and Christmas classic.
What is "Jingle Bells"?
The Wampanoag, a Native American tribe, helped the Pilgrims during the first Thanksgiving by teaching them how to grow these crops.
What are corn, beans, and squash?
This NFL team, known for its iconic tradition of playing every Thanksgiving, has hosted a game at home since 1934, making it one of the league's longest-running Thanksgiving Day events.
What is the Detroit Lions?
This U.S. president declared Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1863, aiming to promote national unity during the Civil War.
Who is Abraham Lincoln?
This creamy dish, often made with sweet potatoes and marshmallows, has roots in 19th-century American cooking and is a common sweet side at Thanksgiving dinners.
What is sweet potato casserole?
This 1967 folk song by Arlo Guthrie, known for its humorous take on Thanksgiving, has become a holiday favorite.
What is "Alice’s Restaurant"?
President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed Thanksgiving a national holiday during this major conflict.
What is the Civil War?
In addition to football, many people participate in these informal, fun games of football or other sports on Thanksgiving morning.
What is a "Turkey Bowl"?
This day, the Friday following Thanksgiving, is now synonymous with holiday shopping and deals, though it started as a marketing term for stores’ profitability.
What is Black Friday?
This tart, red fruit is often made into sauce or relish and served as a side dish during Thanksgiving meals.
What are cranberries?
These songs, often sung in churches on Thanksgiving Day, express gratitude and reverence for the harvest and divine blessings.
What are hymns or spiritual songs?
The first official Thanksgiving was declared in 1789 by this U.S. president, who called for a day of thanksgiving and prayer.
Who is George Washington?
The tradition of watching football on Thanksgiving Day began in this year when the NFL first scheduled games for the holiday.
What is 1920?
This Thanksgiving tradition, which involves a ceremonial act of sparing a turkey from being slaughtered, was first introduced by President George H.W. Bush in 1989 and has continued annually ever since.
What is the Presidential Turkey Pardon?
This savory dish, typically made from bread cubes, vegetables, and herbs, is often cooked inside the turkey or separately and is a staple at many Thanksgiving dinners in the U.S.
What is stuffing (or dressing)?
This Thanksgiving song, written in 1945, was later banned from radio for its controversial content.
What is "The Turkey Song"?
The tradition of Thanksgiving was formalized as a national holiday in 1863, but the date was not fixed until this U.S. president moved it to the fourth Thursday in November.
Who is Franklin D. Roosevelt?
This historical football game, first played in 1876, is the oldest continuing rivalry in college football, often taking place on or around Thanksgiving weekend.
What is the Harvard-Yale game?