1. What is Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving is a national holiday celebrated primarily in the United States and Canada as a day of giving thanks for the blessing of the harvest and of the preceding year.

2. How is Thanksgiving Date Determined?

In the United States, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November each year. This was formally established by federal law in 1941.

The calculation steps:

• November has 30 days
• First find the first Thursday in November
• Add 3 weeks to get the fourth Thursday

3. Historical Background

Details: The modern Thanksgiving holiday tradition is traced to a 1621 celebration at Plymouth. The date varied by state until President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day in 1863.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Simply enter any year between 1900-2100 to calculate the exact date of Thanksgiving for that year.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is Thanksgiving on Thursday?
A: Thursday was chosen to avoid conflicting with the Sabbath and to give people time to prepare for weekend festivities.

Q2: Has the date always been the 4th Thursday?
A: No, prior to 1941 it was often the last Thursday, which could sometimes be the 5th Thursday.

Q3: What's the earliest possible date for Thanksgiving?
A: November 22 (if November 1 is a Thursday).

Q4: What's the latest possible date for Thanksgiving?
A: November 28 (if November 1 is a Friday).

Q5: Does Canada celebrate Thanksgiving on the same date?
A: No, Canadian Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday in October.