Written by:TRIFAN Written by:TRIFAN GEORGEGEORGE

PINZARU ANDREEAPINZARU ANDREEA TAMBA IOANA andTAMBA IOANA and GUDAL MARIUSGUDAL MARIUS

Thanksgiving DayThanksgiving Day

• Almost in every culture in the world there is a celebration of thanks for rich harvest. The American Thanksgiving began as a feast of thanksgiving almost four hundred years ago.

• In 1620, a religious community sailed across the Atlantic Ocean to settle in New World. They settled in what is not known as the state of Massachusetts. Their first winter in America was difficult. They arrived too late to grow a rich harvest. Moreover, half the Iroquois Indians taught them also how to grow other crops and how to hunt and fish.

• In the autumn of 1621 they got a beautiful harvest of corn, barley, beans and pumpkins. The colonists had much to be thankful for, so they planned a feast. The colonists learned from Indians how to cook cranberries and dishes of corn and pumpkins.

• In following years many of the colonists celebrated the harvest with a feast of thanks. After the United States gained independence, Congress recommended one yearly day of thanksgiving for the whole country. Later, George Washington suggested the date November 26 as Thanksgiving Day. Then, after the civil war, Abraham Lincoln suggested the last Thursday in November to be the day of thanksgiving.

• On Thanksgiving Day, family members gather at the house of an older relative, even if they live far away. All give thanks for everything good they have. Charitable organizations offer traditional meal to the homeless.

• Foods, eaten at the first thanksgiving, have become traditional. The traditional thanksgiving meal consists of roast turkey stuffed with herb-flavored bread, cranberry jelly, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie. Other dishes may vary as to region: ham, sweet, potatoes, creamed corn.

A Celebration of ThanksgivingA Celebration of Thanksgiving T he origins of Thanksgiving predated the Pilgrims at least 2,000 years. After the T he origins of Thanksgiving predated the Pilgrims at least 2,000 years. After the

harvest of each year was safely stored for the winter, Celtic priests, the Druids, harvest of each year was safely stored for the winter, Celtic priests, the Druids, would mark the end of their calendar with prayers to their sun god for protection would mark the end of their calendar with prayers to their sun god for protection during the period of darkness and cold of winter. These harvest festivals evolved during the period of darkness and cold of winter. These harvest festivals evolved and became combined with a Christian Feast of Saints.and became combined with a Christian Feast of Saints.

The first formal celebration of Thanksgiving in North America was held by an The first formal celebration of Thanksgiving in North America was held by an English explorer, Martin Frobisher, who attempted to establish an English English explorer, Martin Frobisher, who attempted to establish an English settlement on Baffin Island, after failing to discover a northern passage to the settlement on Baffin Island, after failing to discover a northern passage to the Orient in 1576. Canada established the second Monday in October as a national Orient in 1576. Canada established the second Monday in October as a national holiday, "a day of general thanksgiving," in 1957.holiday, "a day of general thanksgiving," in 1957.

The Pilgrims of Plymouth Rock held their Thanksgiving in 1621 as a three day The Pilgrims of Plymouth Rock held their Thanksgiving in 1621 as a three day "thank you" celebration to the leaders of the Wampanoag Indian tribe and their "thank you" celebration to the leaders of the Wampanoag Indian tribe and their families for teaching them the survival skills they needed to make it in the New families for teaching them the survival skills they needed to make it in the New World. It was their good fortune that the tradition of the Wampanoags was to World. It was their good fortune that the tradition of the Wampanoags was to treat any visitor to their homes with a share of whatever food the family had, treat any visitor to their homes with a share of whatever food the family had, even if supplies were low. It was also an amazing stroke of luck that one of the even if supplies were low. It was also an amazing stroke of luck that one of the Wampanoag, Tisquantum or Squanto, had become close friends with a British Wampanoag, Tisquantum or Squanto, had become close friends with a British explorer, John Weymouth, and had learned the Pilgrim's language in his travels explorer, John Weymouth, and had learned the Pilgrim's language in his travels to England with Weymouth. Wild turkey was on the menu, along with corn to England with Weymouth. Wild turkey was on the menu, along with corn (Pilgrim's wheat), Indian corn, barley, peas, waterfowl, five deer (brought by the (Pilgrim's wheat), Indian corn, barley, peas, waterfowl, five deer (brought by the Indians as their dish to pass), bass and cod. Since then, we've added such Indians as their dish to pass), bass and cod. Since then, we've added such delicacies as ham, sweet potatoes, corn on the cob, popcorn, cranberry sauce delicacies as ham, sweet potatoes, corn on the cob, popcorn, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie. What? Pumpkin pie is not authentic? The Pilgrims probably and pumpkin pie. What? Pumpkin pie is not authentic? The Pilgrims probably made pumpkin pudding sweetened with honey, but they didn't have sugar, crust made pumpkin pudding sweetened with honey, but they didn't have sugar, crust or whipped topping. Life was tough back then.or whipped topping. Life was tough back then.

Thanksgiving Day Thanksgiving Day The English Puritans The English Puritans were trying to "purify" were trying to "purify" the Church of England, the Church of England, but finally they formed but finally they formed their own church. They their own church. They left England and went left England and went to Holland and then to to Holland and then to America. They became America. They became "Pilgrims" because they "Pilgrims" because they were travels in search were travels in search of religious freedom.of religious freedom.

Governor William Governor William Bradford declared some Bradford declared some special day of special day of thanksgiving. The thanksgiving. The Pilgrims and the Indians Pilgrims and the Indians had three-day feast of had three-day feast of deer, wild turkey and fish. deer, wild turkey and fish. There were also nuts, There were also nuts, corn, beans, pumpkins corn, beans, pumpkins wild fruits, cranberries, wild fruits, cranberries, and other foods. The first and other foods. The first Thanksgiving celebration Thanksgiving celebration was a great success.was a great success.

Resident Abraham Lincoln Resident Abraham Lincoln established Thanksgiving as established Thanksgiving as an official national holiday. an official national holiday. Now every year on the fourth Now every year on the fourth Thursday of November Thursday of November American families and friends American families and friends gather, have a feast, and give gather, have a feast, and give thanks. Some traditional thanks. Some traditional Thanksgiving food are turkey, Thanksgiving food are turkey, dressing, sweet potatoes, dressing, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, and cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. pumpkin pie.

THANKSGIVING DAY FOOD

Turkey Noodle Casserole1 pkg frozen peas, thawed under cool running water (10 ounce) 2 cups diced cooked turkey (or ham) 1 1/2 cups cooked noodles butter or margarine 1 /4 cup chopped onion 8 ounces sliced mushrooms 1 can (10 1/2-ounce) cream of mushroom soup 1/2 cup milk salt, to taste 1/4 teaspoon curry powder 1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese Combine turkey, noodles, and peas in a 2-quart buttered casserole dish. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a saucepan. Sautй onion and mushrooms; blend in soup, milk and seasonings. Pour soup mixture over meat; top with shredded cheese. Bake in a 350 degree F. for about 20 to 30 minutes.Serves 4

Thanksgiving Day is a harvest festival celebrated primarily in the United States and Canada. Traditionally, it has been a time to give thanks for a bountiful harvest. While there was an underlying religious element in the original celebration, Thanksgiving today is primarily identified as a secular holiday.[1]

Although earlier feasts are known to have taken place, Thanksgiving as it is known and celebrated today derives from a joint celebration between the Pilgrim settlers of Plymouth, Massachusetts and members of the Native American Patuxet tribe of the Wampanoag people in 1621.

In Canada, Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on the second Monday in October, which is Columbus Day in the United States. In the United States, it falls on the fourth Thursday of November.

Thanksgiving Games for Kids and Their FamiliesThanksgiving Games for Kids and Their Families

Each year the Thanksgiving holiday provides a perfect opportunity for your Each year the Thanksgiving holiday provides a perfect opportunity for your family to create a new and long lasting tradition. Of course there is the family to create a new and long lasting tradition. Of course there is the standard turkey dinner, football game and possibly a nap to enjoy.standard turkey dinner, football game and possibly a nap to enjoy.But what about shaking things up this year by including a family game or But what about shaking things up this year by including a family game or two to your festivities? We've provided a list of easy to learn, Thanksgiving two to your festivities? We've provided a list of easy to learn, Thanksgiving games and instructions that kids and adults can enjoy! games and instructions that kids and adults can enjoy! These games are also well suited for Scout meetings and classroom These games are also well suited for Scout meetings and classroom Thanksgiving celebrations. Thanksgiving celebrations.

Popcorn Relay RacePopcorn Relay RaceThis game can be a bit messy, but it's well worth it to see relatives young This game can be a bit messy, but it's well worth it to see relatives young and old playing together! Set bowls filled with popcorn at one side of a and old playing together! Set bowls filled with popcorn at one side of a room and then empty bowls at the opposite side. Teams must transport room and then empty bowls at the opposite side. Teams must transport the popcorn from the full bowl, to the empty, using a measuring cup.the popcorn from the full bowl, to the empty, using a measuring cup.The first team to empty their popcorn bowl, wins the the game!The first team to empty their popcorn bowl, wins the the game!Note: popcorn is a choking hazard for children under three!Note: popcorn is a choking hazard for children under three!

Bird, Beast, or Fish You have to think fast for this game.Everyone sits facing the leader. The leader points to one of the players and says either "BIRD," "BEAST," or "FISH." The chosen player must come up with the name of an animal that fits the category before the leader counts to ten. No repeating! If the player does not respond in time, she is out. The game continues until only one player remains. As you can guess, after a few rounds it can be hard to think of an animal that has not already been mentioned!Twenty Questions Traditional gameChoose someone or something related to Thanksgiving.One player says "I am thinking of a person, place or thing"

• Turkey Hunt !Hunt quietly, you don't want to scare the turkeys...Prepare for the game by drawing or pasting turkey pictures on a dozen or so index cards - stickers will work as well.To play, everyone leaves the room except the leader. The leader hides the cards around the room. Hunters return and begin the hunt. As each turkey is found, it is brought back to the leader who corrals them in a separate pile for each hunter. When all the turkeys have been found, the hunter with the most turkeys is the winner and becomes the leader for the next round. Tip:Let your children make the cards before the Holiday. They'll find lots of magazine pictures and can color some as well!

Pumpkin RacePumpkin RaceA Traditional county fair game that can be played in a yard, A Traditional county fair game that can be played in a yard, garage or even inside!garage or even inside!This is a simple race but since pumpkins are not nice smooth balls and This is a simple race but since pumpkins are not nice smooth balls and refuse to roll in nice straight lines, you will need plenty of room! refuse to roll in nice straight lines, you will need plenty of room! 

You need two large pumpkins and two sturdy sticks. The racers, line up You need two large pumpkins and two sturdy sticks. The racers, line up on the starting line with the pumpkins turned on their sides. On the signal, on the starting line with the pumpkins turned on their sides. On the signal, the racers use their sticks to roll the pumpkins to the finish line. Younger the racers use their sticks to roll the pumpkins to the finish line. Younger players may want to use their hands instead of the stick. If you want to players may want to use their hands instead of the stick. If you want to play this as teams, make it a relay race. play this as teams, make it a relay race. 

Stool BallStool Ball  An old outdoor game, using a light-weight three-legged stool, a soccer An old outdoor game, using a light-weight three-legged stool, a soccer ball, and a strong stick.ball, and a strong stick.

Place the stool in the middle of the yard. One player is "the stoolie" and Place the stool in the middle of the yard. One player is "the stoolie" and must defend their stool with the stick. The other players stand behind a must defend their stool with the stick. The other players stand behind a line about 10 to 15 feet away. Each player takes a turn at trying to knock line about 10 to 15 feet away. Each player takes a turn at trying to knock over the stool by throwing the ball at it. The stoolie uses the stick to bat over the stool by throwing the ball at it. The stoolie uses the stick to bat the ball away. The player who successful at knocking over the stool is the ball away. The player who successful at knocking over the stool is then deemed the new "stoolie.then deemed the new "stoolie.

We found many variations to this game, our favorites were to protect the We found many variations to this game, our favorites were to protect the stool with your body (No hands) or using two balls players stand in a stool with your body (No hands) or using two balls players stand in a circle around the stoolie and stool with both balls trying to knock down the circle around the stoolie and stool with both balls trying to knock down the stool at the same time. stool at the same time. 

Where is Mr. Turkey?Where is Mr. Turkey?  Instead of saying "warmer...cooler" you gobble?Instead of saying "warmer...cooler" you gobble?One player is the farmer and the others are helpers. The farmer leaves One player is the farmer and the others are helpers. The farmer leaves the room. The helpers hide a small toy turkey. The farmer returns with a the room. The helpers hide a small toy turkey. The farmer returns with a mission to find the turkey. Helpers give clues by "gobbling" like turkeys. mission to find the turkey. Helpers give clues by "gobbling" like turkeys. If the farmer is far away from the turkey, the helpers gobble very quietly. As If the farmer is far away from the turkey, the helpers gobble very quietly. As the hunter gets closer to the turkey, the helpers gobble will increase in the hunter gets closer to the turkey, the helpers gobble will increase in volume until Mr. Turkey is found!  Don't forget the video camera!volume until Mr. Turkey is found!  Don't forget the video camera!

Cornucopia ConfusionCornucopia Confusionall of the players will sit on chairs forming a circle. There should be all of the players will sit on chairs forming a circle. There should be one more player than there are chairs. The player without a chair is the one more player than there are chairs. The player without a chair is the leader. The leader points to each of the players naming them as she points leader. The leader points to each of the players naming them as she points with cornucopia names such as "Cranberry, Corn, Apple, Turkey," anything with cornucopia names such as "Cranberry, Corn, Apple, Turkey," anything related to Thanksgiving.related to Thanksgiving.

After names are chosen, the leader calls out two  names, for instance...After names are chosen, the leader calls out two  names, for instance..."Turkey and potato!". "Turkey and potato!". When she calls the names , those two players must quickly switch places. When she calls the names , those two players must quickly switch places. The leader keeps calling at a quick pace, until suddenly she says The leader keeps calling at a quick pace, until suddenly she says "The cornucopia has tipped over!""The cornucopia has tipped over!" Everyone, including the leader, then Everyone, including the leader, then scrambles for a new place. The player with out a seat, becomes the new scrambles for a new place. The player with out a seat, becomes the new leader. The leader may give the same name to more than one person. leader. The leader may give the same name to more than one person. This game can be confusing at first, but it is also very fun!This game can be confusing at first, but it is also very fun!

the same time. the same time. 

"Thankerchief""Thankerchief"Arrange the children/players in a circle. Pass a "thankerchief" (handkerchief) around Arrange the children/players in a circle. Pass a "thankerchief" (handkerchief) around the circle, as everyone recites this poem:the circle, as everyone recites this poem:

Thankerchief, thankerchief, around you go -- Thankerchief, thankerchief, around you go -- Where you'll stop, nobody knows.Where you'll stop, nobody knows.But when you do, someone must say,But when you do, someone must say,What they are thankful for this day.What they are thankful for this day.

The player holding the "thankerchief" when the poem ends, must The player holding the "thankerchief" when the poem ends, must say aloud, one thing for which they are thankful. This continues until say aloud, one thing for which they are thankful. This continues until everyone has had their turn.everyone has had their turn.

Hoop SticksHoop SticksA traditional Native American game that can be enjoyed by A traditional Native American game that can be enjoyed by kids and adults alike.kids and adults alike.               You'll Need:You'll Need:A 12" wooden dowel or stick for each player.A 12" wooden dowel or stick for each player.Yarn, string or twine, ~ 18" per stick. Yarn, string or twine, ~ 18" per stick.

Tie the yarn to the end of the stick. Make a "hoop" at the other end. The object of the Tie the yarn to the end of the stick. Make a "hoop" at the other end. The object of the game is to catch the "hoop" with the end of your stick using only one hand! It's not as game is to catch the "hoop" with the end of your stick using only one hand! It's not as easy as it sounds. easy as it sounds. More Tips:More Tips:1. Wrap the hoop in masking tape for younger children; the firmer hoop 1. Wrap the hoop in masking tape for younger children; the firmer hoop will give them a boost. will give them a boost. 2. Decorate your sticks with Native American symbols and beads. 2. Decorate your sticks with Native American symbols and beads. 3. Divide into teams. Use a kitchen timer--3. Divide into teams. Use a kitchen timer--The team with the most "hoops" within the time limit wins! The team with the most "hoops" within the time limit wins!

Hoop SticksHoop SticksA traditional Native American game that can be enjoyed by A traditional Native American game that can be enjoyed by kids and adults alike.kids and adults alike.               You'll Need:You'll Need:A 12" wooden dowel or stick for each player.A 12" wooden dowel or stick for each player.Yarn, string or twine, ~ 18" per stick. Yarn, string or twine, ~ 18" per stick.

Tie the yarn to the end of the stick. Make a "hoop" at the other Tie the yarn to the end of the stick. Make a "hoop" at the other end. The object of the game is to catch the "hoop" with the end end. The object of the game is to catch the "hoop" with the end of your stick using only one hand! It's not as easy as it sounds. of your stick using only one hand! It's not as easy as it sounds. More Tips:More Tips:1. Wrap the hoop in masking tape for younger children; the 1. Wrap the hoop in masking tape for younger children; the firmer hoop firmer hoop will give them a boost. will give them a boost. 2. Decorate your sticks with Native American symbols and 2. Decorate your sticks with Native American symbols and beads. beads. 3. Divide into teams. Use a kitchen timer--3. Divide into teams. Use a kitchen timer--The team with the most "hoops" within the time limit wins! The team with the most "hoops" within the time limit wins!