The traditional American Thanksgiving Day celebration falls on the fourth Thursday of November. Its roots trace back to the Pilgrims who celebrated the end of the harvest in gratitude with the Indians who had helped them survive as recent settlers in a new land.

Today, families gather from around the country to celebrate the holiday together, feasting on a huge meal that traditionally includes turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, fall vegetables, cranberries and pumpkin pie. Often families offer a prayer of thanksgiving before sitting down to eat. Many families spend the day cooking, talking, eating and watching and/or playing football together.

Fall colors and harvest themes dominant the decorations for this festive day. Children craft and decorate cornucopias, pilgrims, Indians and turkeys at school.

Although some grocery stores remain open part of the day to provide last minute supplies, virtually all businesses close for this holiday. Schools and many non-retail businesses also remain closed on the day after Thanksgiving, known as the kick-off for the Christmas season. The day after Thanksgiving marks the busiest retail shopping day of the year and the day before Thanksgiving marks the busiest day at U.S. airports.