Презентация "Thanksgiving day" по английскому языку – проект, доклад

Thanksgiving Day

Created by Olga Prikhodko School 18, Sumy, Ukraine

“There is one day that is ours. Thanksgiving Day is the one day that is purely American.” O. Henry

Thanksgiving is America's most popular holiday. It is celebrated every year on the fourth Thursday in the month of November. It has a very interesting history. Its origin can be traced back to the 16th century when the first thanksgiving dinner is said to have taken place.

The Pilgrims strongly believed that the Church of England, and the Catholic Church, had strayed beyond Christ's teachings, and established religious rituals, and church hierarchies, that went against the teachings of the Bible.  This belief put them at odds with church officials, who in the early years of King James I, tried to have them arrested and thrown in jail for refusing to attend church services and participate in Anglican church rituals.  For this reason, many of the Pilgrims fled to Holland, where there was religious freedom. 

The legendary pilgrims crossed the Atlantic in the year 1620 in Mayflower - a 17th Century sailing vessel. About 102 people traveled for nearly two months with extreme difficulty. This was so because they were kept in the cargo space of the sailing vessel. No one was allowed to go on the deck due to terrible storms. The pilgrims comforted themselves by singing Psalms - sacred songs.

Mayflower compact was signed on November 11, 1620, the morning the Pilgrims anchored off the tip of Cape Cod.  It was intended to quell any discontents amongst the passengers, and to establish a government since their land  patents were for Northern Virginia, and not for New England.  To legally establish themselves, they needed to procure an additional land patent, which they did in the form of the Pierce Patent of 1621.

The pilgrims reached Plymouth rock on December 11th 1620, after a sea journey of 66 days. Though the original destination was somewhere in the northern part of Virginia, they could not reach the place owing to winds blowing them off course.

In the year of 1620 on a cold December day a hundred and two pilgrims sailed into Plymouth Bay. Still wary from their voyage - still gacing winter's chill - they kept their sights on freedom with courage, work, and will. Pilgrims did not stop to think of riches, fame, or glory while bravely playing starring roles in our new nation's story.

The pilgrims met native Americans and were very scared. But it was a friendly tribe.

The Pilgrims Village

The first winter was very severe.

Nearly 46 pilgrims died due to extreme cold and illnesses.

However, in the spring of 1621, Squanto, a native Indian taught the pilgrims to survive by growing corn, beans and pumpkins and hunting turkeys.

Next year the harvest was very good. It helped the pilgrims to survive.

In the autumn of 1621, they held a grand celebration where 90 people were invited including Indians. The grand feast was organized to thank god for his favors. This communal dinner is popularly known as “The first thanksgiving feast”.

The feast continued for three days and was eaten outside due to lack of space. It was not repeated till 1623, which again witnessed a severe drought.

After a number of events and changes, President Lincoln proclaimed last Thursday in November of thanksgiving in the year 1863. This was due to the continuous efforts of Sarah Josepha Hale, a magazine editor. She wrote a number of articles for the cause.

Thanksgiving Symbols Pilgrim Hat Sunflower Cornucopia Pumpkin Cranberry Turkey

Cornucopia is the most common symbol of a harvest festival. A Horn shaped container, it is filled with abundance of the Earth's harvest. It is also known as the 'horn of plenty'.

Cranberry is a symbol of Thanksgiving. Originally called crane berry, it derived its name from its pink blossoms and drooping head which reminded the pilgrim of a crane. The name was later changed to what is popularly known as Cranberry. Pilgrims soon found out a way to sweeten the bitten cranberries with maple sugar. Ever since cranberry sauce is a permanent companion of turkey during thanksgiving feast.

Corn is one of the popular symbols of thanksgiving. Native Americans had been growing corn a long time before the pilgrims arrived in their country. They taught pilgrims how to grow corn and helped them survive the bitter winter of 1620. That’s why corn was a part of the first thanksgiving dinner. The tradition continues and corn finds its place on every dinner table during Thanksgiving dinner. Corn reminds us of the importance and heritage of the famous harvest festival.

Beans are a special symbol of thanksgiving. Native Americans are believed to have taught the pilgrims to grow beans next to cornstalks. This was so that beans could grow and use cornstalks as their pole. Thus American beans are also known as 'Pole Beans'. Famously known as one of the 'Three sisters', beans are a part of thanksgiving feast.

Pumpkin Another popular dish at almost every Thanksgiving table is the 'Pumpkin Pie'. Pumpkin was one of the dishes in the first thanksgiving dinner. Pilgrims made a pumpkin dish sweetened with honey or syrup. Pumpkin is one of the important symbols of the harvest festival and has been an American-favourite for over 400 years now.

The celebration of Thanksgiving will be incomplete without the legendary Turkey. Turkey was at one time being considered as the national symbol of America. Benjamin Franklin felt that turkey was the right choice because it was a good runner and had a sharp sight. A bald eagle later became the national symbol of America.

Thanksgiving is the time to pray and thank God for his continuous grace. Families offer group prayers both in church as well as homes. Customary Thanksgiving prayer before the Thanksgiving feast is quite popular.

For each new morning with its light, For rest and shelter of the night, For health and food, For love and friends, For everything Thy goodness sends.

Thanksgiving is a family holiday. Thanksgiving wishes: You are the most special person in my life. You are my friend, philosopher, guide and lot more. Thanks for coming in my life. On this Thanksgiving Day, I wish to say that I am honored to have you in my life. Thanks for loving and caring for me. Love. You are the best parents any child can have. Thanks for being our parents.

Family Reunion and Feasting Family feast is an important tradition during Thanksgiving. The entire family sits at the table during dinner and offer prayer to the Lord Almighty for his continuous grace. It is also a time for relatives living in different places to come together and celebrate.

Stuffed Turkey Pumpkin Soup Cranberry Sauce Pumpkin Pie Pumpkin Ice-cream Traditional Turkey Sandwich Turkey Pizza Cranberry Chutney

Thanksgiving Menu

Thanksgiving Dinner

Thanksgiving Day Gifts

Thanksgiving Day Parade

A Monument to Mayflower

Resources: http://www.lenagold.ru/fon/clipart/t/tykv.html http://www.phillipmartin.info/clipart/homepage.htm http://www.animationlibrary.com/sc/33/Thanksgiving/ http://www.thanksgiving-day.org/celebration-united- state.html ://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayflower http://www.mayflowerhistory.com/History/history.php