Thanksgiving

Vocabulary

1. Settler (n)
/ˈsɛtlər/: a person who goes to live in a new place where there are usually few or no people
Ex: America's early settlers had to live in primitive conditions.

2. Feast (n)
/fiːst/:a special meal with large amounts of food and drinks; a large formal dinner
Ex: My family celebrates Christmas every year with a large feast.

3. Harsh (adj)
/hɑːrʃ/:unpleasant and difficult to accept or experience
Ex: She has to face the harsh reality of being a single mother.

4. Betrayal (adj)
/bɪˈtreɪəl/:breaking someone's trust; disloyalty or treachery
Ex: What she did today was a complete betrayal of all her promises to me.

5. Shellfish (n)
/ˈʃelfɪʃ/:an animal that has a hard outer shell and lives in water
Ex: My father is crazy about shellfish; he takes us to his favorite seafood restaurant every Friday.

6. Venison (n)
/venɪzn/:deer meat
Ex: I've never tried venison; it is too expensive.

7. Observe (verb)
/əbˈzərv/:to celebrate a holiday
Ex: Do you observe Christmas?

Reading

Every year on the fourth Thursday in November, Americans celebrate Thanksgiving. In the USA, this is a national holiday, established in 1941 to honor the first English settlers. Also known as Puritans or Pilgrims, the first English settlers reached the coast of today’s Massachusetts in 1620. Grateful for a good harvest after a harsh winter, they organized a feast in 1621. In history, this feast is known as the first Thanksgiving.

Along with the settlers, a tribe of Wampanoag Indians were present at the feast. They were invited because they helped the settlers tame the land and grow crops. However, later in history the two groups became enemies and often fought for territory. That is why many Native Americans do not regard Thanksgiving as a happy holiday. For them, it is a reminder of war and the betrayal their ancestors experienced.

Nevertheless, the holiday persists. Nowadays, modern families celebrating it gather and spend the whole day together. They cook, talk, and play football. The day ends with a Thanksgiving dinner. The original menu consisted of corn, shellfish and venison. Today, however, you can find the following on most tables: roast turkey, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce and apple pie. Before eating, it is customary that every family member says what he/she is thankful for.

The holiday is observed not only in USA, but also in Canada, Liberia and in some Caribbean islands.


1. Why do some Native Americans dislike Thanksgiving nowadays?

2. What was the original Thanksgiving menu, and what is the modern one?

3. How is the holiday celebrated nowadays?

Discussion

1. Have you ever heard about or celebrated Thanksgiving?

2. Is there a similar holiday in your country?

3. What is the traditional menu for an important holiday in your country?

4. What is the most popular holiday in your country?