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Americans Celebrate Thanksgiving Holiday

   VOA News 25 November 2010
   President  Barack  Obama,  right,  leans over to listens to hear child
   speak  as  he  helps  pack  food for Thanksgiving at Martha's Table, a
   local food pantry in Washington, 24 Nov., 2010.

Photo: AP

   President  Barack  Obama,  right,  leans over to listens to hear child
   speak  as  he  helps  pack  food for Thanksgiving at Martha's Table, a
   local food pantry in Washington, 24 Nov., 2010.

   Millions  of  Americans  are  celebrating  the annual Thanksgiving Day
   holiday with a traditional feast with family and friends.
   Thanksgiving,  held  in  the  United  States on the fourth Thursday of
   November,  is  one of the biggest travel holidays of the year. The day
   centers  on  a  meal  typically  including turkey, potatoes, stuffing,
   cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie.
   The  first  official  Thanksgiving was observed in 1863, although some
   believe the original holiday dates back to 1621.
   That year, British colonists at the Plymouth settlement in what is now
   the  northeastern  state  of  Massachusetts  held  a  feast  with  the
   Wampanoag  Native American tribe, who taught them how to grow food and
   hunt for game in their new home. Â
   President  Barack Obama released his weekly address Thursday, in honor
   of  the holiday.  He called on Americans to come together and support
   each  other  as  the  country struggles with war and unemployment. The
   president  said  he  hopes Democrats, Republicans and Independents can
   work together during the coming months to make progress on the economy
   and other issues.
   In addition to the traditional Thanksgiving feast, many Americans will
   spend  the  day  watching nationally-televised events such as New York
   City's  annual Thanksgiving Day parade, sponsored by Macy's department
   store, which includes musical performances, elaborate floats and giant
   inflatable cartoon characters.
   The Friday after Thanksgiving, known as "Black Friday," is seen as the
   start  to  the  holiday shopping season, with many stores offering big
   discounts and opening in the pre-dawn hours for a rush of shoppers.

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