Since 1863, the Thanksgiving holiday has been celebrated by families all over the United States. Thanksgiving is a time designated for families and friends to get together and share the things that they are thankful for; however, Thanksgiving is also a time to participate in some strange traditions. It is safe to say that someone from another country may find our Thanksgiving traditions to be anything but normal.
Thanksgiving started as a celebration of the first harvest shared between the colonist Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Native people. The two groups got together in 1621 to share a feast and celebrate a successful harvest season. Despite the initial comradery, the colonists eventually forced the natives from their homes and began mass killing anyone who resisted. Yet, Americans continue to celebrate the holiday despite its brutal origin.
This mass murdering was in part led by the man credited with discovering America, Christopher Columbus. Columbus is seen as a great leader and explorer to many, but in reality, Columbus was a man who decided to assassinate natives and steal their land. I am unfamiliar with any other countries that celebrate murderers and thieves, but I could be wrong.
The murdering continues to this day, where 46 million turkeys are killed each year for Thanksgiving. Not to sound like a People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals [PETA] employee, but that is quite a few turkeys. What is it with Americans and the need to constantly eat when celebrating? Americans do not just share basic meals together either, they feel the need to go all-out all the time. Americans eat some strange things, especially on Thanksgiving. Who on earth came up with the idea of stuffing? Soggy bread and spices does not exactly sound appetizing to me, but to each their own I suppose. Do not even get me started on cranberry sauce. Native Americans used cranberries to paint, so you’re telling me they showed up to Thanksgiving with heated-up paint and thought they were on to something? Absolutely not!
Getting together with family and friends to share what you are thankful for is a wonderful reason for a holiday. However, when you start adding in celebrating murderers and eating Native American paint, that is when things get a little strange. Ultimately, do not let me stop you from getting together with the family and eating a turkey for some reason.