The weather has gotten colder, the leaves have changed color, and even a few flurries of snow have been spotted. This is the great time of the year that we know as Thanksgiving.

“Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. It’s a nice transition between Halloween and Christmas” said freshman Samantha Haley.

As all schoolchildren know, Thanksgiving is a holiday that dates back to 1621 when the Pilgrims and Native Americans gathered together to celebrate a successful harvest. People here in America have always locally and collectively celebrated Thanskgiving however, it wasn’t until 1863 that we as a country began celebrating it.

Thanksgiving has changed a lot since the Pilgrims and Native Americans sat down for that first feast. Now days Thanksgiving has different meanings for different people. For many though, it consists of over-eating and watching football.

“You get to eat as much as you want and watch football. It really doesn’t get any better than that” said junior Joey Zucconi.

But for others Thanksgiving is much more family oriented.

“In my family it’s a tradition that every year we all go over my cousin’s house and everybody brings a Thanksgiving dish” said our Foods and Nutrition instructor Lou Caruso.

There are many others who also choose to spend Thanksgiving with loved ones and family members. This year the Travel News Archive projects 43.4 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

Whether you spend it with your family, watching football, or doing both, Thanksgiving is a holiday that is important to us all. It is a day that as a country we can be thankful for all of  the wonderful blessings and privileges we enjoy. So as Thanksgiving approaches us this year think about everything you are thankful for in your life and make sure to enjoy your turkey dinner.