Thanksgiving Traditions

Both China and the United States of America have cultural festivals that perform similar functions in their respective societies. The United States of America and China each have a festive that has an interesting history, specific traditions during the festival, and are large celebrations for their entire countries.

The tradition of Thanksgiving in the United States started with a celebratory feast, in November 1621, in honor of the success of the Pilgrims first corn harvest. Then in 1623 they celebrated their second Thanksgiving because their crop had survived the long drought (History.com Staff, 2009). In 1787 George Washington created the first official United States government thanksgiving his presidential successors John Adams

While it is unknown whether the Pilgrims actually had turkey at the original it has nevertheless become a symbol of thanksgiving in the United States (History.com Staff, 2009). Many people volunteer on Thanksgiving day either by hosting a food drive or full Thanksgiving meals for those in need (History.com Staff, 2009). Another Thanksgiving day tradition is large parades (Pardon a Turkey? 7 Thanksgiving Traditions Explained, n.d.). With the largest parade attracting between 2 and 3 million people and being two and a half miles long (History.com Staff, 2009). A tradition that started in the mid-20th century is the tradition of United States president pardoning a turkey every year and not having them cooked ( Pardon a Turkey?, n.d.).

The Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth month in the Chinese calendar, with no fixed date in the western calendar. Mid-Autumn Festival always falls on a full moon. The Chinese began celebrating Mid-Autumn Festival during the Tang dynasty. Mid-Autumn Festival is a festival for celebrating harvest and family reunions. The Mid-Autumn Festival is considered to be one of the more important festivities in Chinese culture. The Chinese government made Mid-Autumn Festival a public holiday in