Evolving from a Pilgrim-Wampanoag feast into a cornerstone of United States (US) celebration, Thanksgiving blends history with modern tradition. Rooted in gratitude and cultural exchange, the holiday now reflects the nation’s culinary diversity and regional customs. Across the US, families honor Thanksgiving with unique traditions that reflect local influences, creating a rich tapestry of celebrations. While the spirit of gratitude unites the nation, the diverse ways it is celebrated make Thanksgiving distinctly American, according to history.com.
In 1621, the Pilgrims and 90 Native Americans gathered for three days of food and recreation, with enough food to last nearly a week. This feast laid the foundation for modern-day Thanksgiving, according to thanksgiving.org. During the American Revolutionary War, both the Continental Congress and former President George Washington declared days for giving thanks, with Washington’s 1789 proclamation urging nationwide gratitude for independence and the US Constitution. In the 1800s, New York became the first state to officially establish an annual Thanksgiving holiday. Former President Abraham Lincoln formalized Thanksgiving as a national holiday in 1863, selecting the last Thursday of November. Later in 1941, former President Franklin D. Roosevelt adjusted the date, making the fourth Thursday in November the official day, according to history.com.
The first Thanksgiving meal in Plymouth, Massachusetts looked very different from today’s holiday feast. Although turkeys were native to the region, there is no evidence that a large, roasted bird served as the centerpiece of the meal. Instead, the Wampanoag tribe brought deer, and the spread included local seafood such as mussels, lobster, and bass, along with pumpkins from the Pilgrims’ harvest. The three-day event featured dishes incorporating Native American spices and cooking techniques. The lack of ovens and a limited sugar supply meant there were no desserts, which are now staples of the holiday, according to history.com. The feast highlighted a cultural exchange, with dishes reflecting the combined resources and cooking traditions of both the Native Americans and the Pilgrims.
Thanksgiving menus across the US reflect the country’s rich culinary diversity, with each region showcasing various flavors. In the Northeast, classic dishes like stuffing or dressing and mashed potatoes typically dominate the table, according to statista.com. Meanwhile, the Midwest highlights its hearty fare, with bread and rolls featured prominently in 75 percent of meals, complemented by traditional staples such as green bean casserole. In the South, cornbread dressing, a variation on classic stuffing, can add a distinctive regional flair, while dishes like sweet potato pie are also common, according to statista.com. Out West, Thanksgiving tables often diverge from tradition, featuring unique dishes such as tamales or even Dungeness crab, reflecting the region’s multicultural influences, according to seattletimes.com. These regional differences make Thanksgiving a dynamic and diverse celebration of American food culture but at its core, Thanksgiving still remains a reflection of its origins.
In many ways, the modern Thanksgiving celebration amplifies the spirit of the original feast, demonstrating that gratitude and unity remain relevant in today’s world. Families gather around tables filled with an array of dishes representing different cultural backgrounds to honor the tradition. The holiday’s focus on gratitude extends beyond individual blessings to encompass a broader appreciation for giving thanks and celebrating regional differences. This blend of history, gratitude, and regional diversity keeps Thanksgiving a uniquely US celebration, honoring the past while forming connections that strengthen communities in the present.
Featured Image by Caitlin Leahy ’25
