The large meal is the center point of Thanksgiving in the United States. Main item of the meal is roasted turkey and that is where we are going to start. The known “First Thanksgiving” started in 1621 in the Plymouth Plantation between Pilgrims and Wampanoag after their first harvest. The celebration continued for three days. Meal included fish, venison, waterfowl, lobster, clams, berries and fruits, squash and of course pumpkin. This is quite opposite of what many Americans are thinking of a traditional Thanksgiving meal. Later, some politicians took action to declare turkey should be the center piece of the meal. Over the years side dishes began to shape and included cranberry sauce, stuffing, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, and cornbread. Pies were more common for dessert at the time and included apple pie, sweet potato pie, and pumpkin pie and are more common today as well as traditional too.
Nationalization of the Thanksgiving happened under the watchful eye of President Lincoln in 1863. It was to be celebrated on the last Thursday of November. Since that day, it has been a national holiday. As expected by many of the Pilgrims, Thanksgiving is celebrated without any religious affiliation.