Thanksgiving in 2025 will be celebrated on Thursday, November 27. As the fourth Thursday of November each year, this holiday marks the beginning of America's festive season and centers on gratitude and family unity.
The tradition dates back to 1621 when Pilgrims and the Wampanoag people shared a harvest feast in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The holiday evolved over time, with Abraham Lincoln declaring a national Thanksgiving Day in 1863 to foster unity during the Civil War.
In 1941, Congress made the fourth Thursday in November the official date for Thanksgiving, ensuring it is observed consistently nationwide.
For families like the Waits in Tyler, Texas, Thanksgiving is more than just a meal; it is a cherished ritual that keeps the holiday's spirit alive year after year.
"Thanksgiving traces its origins to 1621, when Pilgrims and Wampanoag people shared a harvest feast in Plymouth, Massachusetts."
"The official date—always the fourth Thursday in November—was set by Congress in 1941, ensuring consistency nationwide."
Thanksgiving 2025 honors a historic tradition of gratitude and unity through family gatherings and classic meals, continuing to be a treasured American holiday.