Hello readers! It is November, and if you didn’t know, Thanksgiving is coming up. This year it is on the 23, because it’s always on the second Thursday of November.

Thanksgiving is an American holiday. It dates back to 1621 in the British colonies in America. But a year before, in 1620, a ship called the Mayflower left England to go to America. It didn’t only carry men like the ships before that were sent there to scout out the land or to fight the Spanish and the French, but women and children as well, to settle this new land. Some were religious separatist, seeking to get away from the Church of England so they could freely practice their faith. Some were just families going their for the promise of profit and prosperity in the new land. The 66 day boat ride to the “New World” was a tough one, but once they finally got to the Americas they started establishing their settlement in Plymouth. Throughout the first winter most stayed on the ship. Many were lost to disease and starvation. But in the spring, a Native American man named Squanto started helping the Pilgrims plant corn and catch fish, and other things they needed to know. No one knows why exactly he decided to help them. It might have been because he wanted them to help him and the Wampanoag fight other rival tribes. But anyway, the Pilgrims’ society got strong, that fall they had a celebratory harvest feast. They called this a thanks giving. They had these normally, just to thank god, but it was this one that our current-day celebrations root from. They probably didn’t have the pies and desserts that we have today, but they probably ate corn, fish, and maybe some turkey or chicken. The celebration lasted for three days. On one of those three days, the Pilgrim men were shooting their guns into the air to “exercise their arms” when some Native Americans heard them. The Native Americans came over and ate some, but there wasn’t enough food! So the Native Americans went out and shot three deer.

For Thanksgiving, my family usually has family over, or goes to one of our grandparents’ houses. We eat lots of good food. My favorite is the Marshmallow salad, a fruit salad with cool whip and marshmallows.

When we go to my mom’s parents’ house, like we will this year, we see my cousins, and have lots of fun hanging out with them (I’m the oldest boy, and it’s really fun to play big brother to 4 little kids). We usually do something like bowling. And then on the day of, we go to the neighborhood clubhouse and rent a dining room. We tons of delicious food. Some of my mom’s cousins and their families come. After that, we go back to my grandparents’ house and we all play football. It’s so fun for a football lover like me!

This year I’m really thankful for all my friends for being so awesome. They are always really nice and supportive, and I’m glad I have such great friends. I’m also thankful for my parents, and I guess my sisters.

What are you thankful for?

Have a great thanksgiving!