The Real Story of Thanksgiving: What Really Happened Back Then

Every year, people start asking the same thing: what day is Thanksgiving on this year? It's funny how the date keeps shifting, yet the excitement always feels the same. That little mystery makes you wonder where this tradition even came from in the first place.

In fact, the truth behind the origin of the Thanksgiving holiday is actually pretty fascinating. So, let's dig deep into what Thanksgiving is, uncover the true history of Thanksgiving, and figure out what Thanksgiving is all about. Ready to take a trip back in time? Let's go!

Part 1. The History Behind Thanksgiving: From 1621 to Today's Turkey Feast

It feels only right to rewind all the way back to where the history behind Thanksgiving truly began. So, let's take a deeper look at the first Thanksgiving and how it became a tradition today.

What Really Happened at the "First Thanksgiving"?

For anyone wondering when Thanksgiving started in what year, the story goes all the way back to 1621. At the time, the English Pilgrims at Plymouth Colony shared a harvest meal with the Wampanoag people who had helped them learn how to farm, fish, and survive the tough seasons. That gathering turned into a three-day feast filled with food and gratitude.

Over time, different colonies held their own days of thanks in their own style. These early celebrations came long before it became a national holiday, and they slowly shaped the origin of Thanksgiving into the tradition we know today.

How Thanksgiving Became a National Tradition

When people ask what day is Thanksgiving, the date never stays the same, which is pretty funny considering how long the holiday has been around. That's because the history of the Thanksgiving holiday has shifted a lot over time, and it didn't become a national tradition overnight. Below are the key moments that shaped it into the holiday we know today.

• George Washington's First Proclamation: George Washington set the earliest tone for the American history of Thanksgiving in 1789 when he declared November 26 as a national day of gratitude to honor unity and independence.
• Sarah Josepha Hale's National Holiday Campaign: Sarah Josepha Hale spent years encouraging leaders to make Thanksgiving official, and her effort finally led Abraham Lincoln to proclaim it a federal holiday in the last Thursday of November 1863 during the Civil War.
• Franklin D. Roosevelt Sets The Final Date: In 1941, Franklin D. Roosevelt chose the fourth Thursday of November as the official date, giving the origin of Thanksgiving its permanent place on the calendar, where we still celebrate it today.

A Deeper Look Into The Origins of Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving might feel like a warm celebration of gratitude, but the real story of Thanksgiving Day carries a heavier side, too. Behind the familiar traditions were real struggles between Native Americans and European settlers that shaped the early years of this land.

For many Indigenous communities, this day is seen as a National Day of Mourning, a time to honor the lives lost and the lands that were taken. Keeping this in mind helps us see what about Thanksgiving goes beyond the feast. It reminds us that the day also carries space for awareness, reflection, and empathy toward the history that came before us.

Part 2. What Day Is Thanksgiving On This Year? Plus Modern Ways to Celebrate

Now that you know what is the history about Thanksgiving, it is time to look forward to the part everyone enjoys most, the celebration itself. As we mentioned earlier, Thanksgiving always falls on the fourth Thursday of November, so the date shifts a little each year.

For 2025, Thanksgiving will be on November 27, so you can start planning ahead. And to help you get into the spirit, let's take a look at how people usually celebrate this special day and make it feel meaningful.

Different Ways People Celebrate in the U.S.

Traditional Family Feast

Nothing beats the classic table spread. Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie always set the mood and keep the tradition alive.

Thanksgiving Parade Fun

The Macy's Parade in New York brings out giant balloons, floats, and live performances every year. It is one of the highlights that makes the day feel festive from the morning on.

Football and Movie Time

For many homes, Thanksgiving feels complete with NFL games in the background or a cozy holiday movie playing after dinner.

Online Celebrations

Some people celebrate from afar by sharing gratitude posts or joining virtual dinners. It keeps everyone connected no matter where they are.

How Other Countries Celebrate Thanksgiving (Their Own Way)

Thanksgiving day is not only a big thing in America anymore. Over time, it turned into a celebration that many countries shaped in their own style. Here is a quick look at the Thanksgiving history of different places around the world and how each one celebrates in a way that fits their culture.

• Canada: Canada's Thanksgiving began with early explorers giving thanks for safe travels and good harvests. Now, it is celebrated on the second Monday of October with a focus on harvest gratitude.
• Germany: Germany's Thanksgiving history comes from old harvest rituals where communities thanked the season for their food. Today Erntedankfest is filled with music, parades, and church gatherings.
• Japan: Japan's version started from ancient rice harvest festivals. It later became Labor Thanksgiving Day on November 23, a time to appreciate hard work and community effort.
• Liberia: Liberia's Thanksgiving began when freed American slaves brought the tradition with them in the 1800s. The country now celebrates on the first Thursday of November with music, food, and gatherings.
• Grenada: Grenada celebrates on October 25 to remember the events of 1983 that helped restore stability. Families come together to share food and give thanks.
• Netherlands: In the Netherlands, towns like Leiden honor their part in Thanksgiving history because the Pilgrims lived there before sailing to America. Small services are held to remember that connection.

Part 3. Create a Video About the History Behind Thanksgiving with Filmora

Now that you've got the real story of Thanksgiving fresh in your mind, this is the perfect moment to share what you have learned. And one of the easiest ways to do that is through a video, since it lets you tell the story in a way people can really feel and enjoy.

And the good thing is, you do not need complicated tools for it, because Wondershare Filmora gives you everything you need to create something smooth, creative, and super easy to follow.

Why Choose Filmora?

Here's why Filmora is the perfect editor for making your history of Thanksgiving video:

1. Turn Your Recordings Into Engaging Clips

Filmora lets you take a simple voice recording about the real history of Thanksgiving and turn it into a full visual story. That's because Filmora's AI Audio to Video feature can create matching visuals that make everything feel richer and easier to follow.

2. Let Filmora Handle The Script Work

If you already know what Thanksgiving is all about but do not feel like writing a full script, Filmora can help. The AI Storyboard Generator, AI Idea to Video, and AI Script to Video tools turn your ideas and notes into a complete video in just a few minutes.

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3. Add A Warm Thanksgiving Touch

Filmora comes with a big media library filled with Thanksgiving stickers, background music, sound effects, and cozy overlays. These little touches instantly give your video that warm holiday feeling.

4. Create On Any Device You Use

Filmora works smoothly on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, so you can build your Thanksgiving video anywhere. This flexibility makes it easy to jump between devices whenever inspiration hits.

5. Share Your Story With Everyone

When you are done, sharing your video is simple. Post it on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, or Vimon, and let others enjoy your take on the history behind Thanksgiving in a fun and creative way.

6. Transform Thanksgiving Dinner Photos Into Engaging Videos

When creating a video about what Thanksgiving is and the origin of Thanksgiving, showing the actual feast makes your story more compelling. Filmora's AI Image to Video (VEO 3) feature can transform static photos of Thanksgiving dinners—roasted turkey, family gatherings, or traditional spreads—into dynamic, cinematic clips.

See the transformation below – watch how a Thanksgiving dinner photo comes alive:

As shown above, VEO 3 adds natural movement and depth to your Thanksgiving feast photos, bringing the celebration to life. You can easily combine these animated dinner clips with your narration and historical content to create a complete video about what day is Thanksgiving and how people celebrate it today.

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7. Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a History of Thanksgiving Video

All the tools we mentioned earlier really show how Filmora works as an all-in-one space for bringing your ideas to life. You can create instant videos with AI and still edit everything in the same place without switching apps.

So, if you are ready to turn the history of Thanksgiving into a video, here is a simple guide to get started using the AI Idea to Video feature.

Step 1Open Filmora and Access the Idea to Video feature

Make sure you have the latest version of Filmora installed on your device. Once you open the program, head over to the "Toolbox" section. From there, look for the "AI Idea to Video" option and click it to start your project.

Step 2Write Your Idea and Generate the Video Script

In the next window, start typing out the kind of video you want to create. Try to share a clear idea since the final result will follow whatever you describe. Right under the text box, you can choose the video duration, style, and language. Once everything feels right, click "Generate AI Script" and let Filmora build the foundation for your video.

Step 3Adjust Settings and Generate the Video

Filmora will create a script made up of six scenes, and you can click on each one to tweak it however you like. If you want the video to match your vision more closely, you can add picture references either by uploading your own or letting the AI create them for you.

As you scroll down, you will find options to customize characters, pick your aspect ratio, and choose voiceovers that fit the mood of your history of Thanksgiving video. Once everything looks good, go ahead and click "Generate" to produce your video.

Step 4Edit Your Video If Necessary

Once Filmora finishes generating your video, you will be taken straight into the main editor. Press play to watch the result in the preview window and see how everything came together. If you want to adjust anything, open the "Storyboard" tab and tweak each scene to match your vision.

Feel free to explore Filmora's built in libraries and features too. You can add filters, stickers, video effects, transitions, background music, or sound effects to make your history of Thanksgiving video even more engaging.

Step 4Export and Save Your Video

When you are happy with your edits, go ahead and click "Export" to wrap everything up. You can save the video to your computer through the "Local" option or send it directly to your social media accounts from inside Filmora. Just add a title, choose the format and resolution you want, pick the save location, and hit "Export" again to finalize your video.

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Conclusion

The origin of the Thanksgiving holiday has so many layers, and this guide walks you through all of it in a simple and friendly way. We went through the history behind Thanksgiving, uncovered the real story of Thanksgiving, and looked at how people celebrate both in the United States and in different parts of the world.

If you feel inspired to share what you have learned, Filmora is a great partner to help you do that. With features like Idea to Video and other smart AI features, you can turn your thoughts into a full video in just minutes and still fine-tune everything inside the editor. It is a simple and reliable way to create a Thanksgiving video that feels personal and polished.