The first Thanksgiving was 1621, and was a time for Pilgrims to thank God for the good crops and thank the Native Americans for their help.  Americans continue this practice with a feast  in November, but families often follow their own traditions. 

Some celebrate by watching  football, and you can watch it all day long. Every year, multiple NFL games are shown on Thanksgiving Day, and families get their food and sit down on the couch to watch. Others take this a step further by  playing their own football game. 

 Breaking the turkey "wishbone" (or Furcula bone) is another common tradition among Americans. After the turkey is cooked and the wishbone is removed, two people each take an end and pull. Whoever has the bigger half gets to makes a wish. This is a tradition  usually practiced between younger children, however, many adults also take part. 

Rounding out the list of Thanksgiving traditions is the turkey pardon. Every year, the president of the United States is given a live turkey and a few alternates. On Thanksgiving day, a ceremony is held at the White House in which the president officially pardons the turkeys, allowing them to live out the rest of their lives peacefully.

Thanksgiving is a day full of traditions, and It's a day to be thankful for our life and the people in it. Whether you are watching football, playing your own game, breaking the wishbone, or watching the president pardon a turkey,  make this day special in your own way. Happy Thanksgiving!

~Olivia