Thanksgiving Day is the most truly American of the national holidays in the United States and is most closely connected with the earliest history of the country.
In 1620, the settlers, or Pilgrims, sailed to America on the May Flower, seeking a place where they could have of worship. After a two-month voyage, in icy November, they landed at what is now Plymouth, Massachusetts.
During their first winter, over half of the settlers died of starvation or epidemics (流行病). Those who survived began sowing in the first spring.
All summer long they waited for the harvests with great anxiety, knowing that their lives and the future of the colony depended on the coming harvest. Finally the field produced a yield rich beyond expectations. And therefore it was decided that a day of thanksgiving to the Lord be fixed. Years later, President of the Unites States decided the fourth Thursday of November as Thanksgiving Day every year. The celebration of Thanksgiving Day has been observed on that date until today.
The pattern of the Thanksgiving celebration had never changed through the years. The big family dinner is planned months ahead. On the dinner table, people will find apples. oranges, chestnuts and gs. There will be pudding, mince (肉馅) pie, other varieties of food and cranberry (蔓越橘) juice and squash (柠檬汁). The best and most attractive among them are roast turkey and pumpkin pie. They have been the most traditional and favorite food on Thanksgiving Day throughout the years.
The people decided to fix a day of Thanksgiving to the Lord because they wanted to______.