Spirit of Thanksgiving comes to USINT, One Week Early
Spirit of Thanksgiving comes to USINT, One Week Early
On Thursday, November 26, 2009, Americans all over the world will sit down to a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with family and close friends. Here in Havana, the U.S. Interests Section celebrated Thanksgiving one week early. On Thursday, November 19 USINT staff joined in a special Thanksgiving lunch prepared by Americans serving at the mission. For many of those present this was the first time to share in the spirit, and fare, of this esteemed American tradition.
Thanksgiving Day is essentially a harvest festival. The first Thanksgiving is said to have been celebrated by the early American settlers in1621 in Plymouth, Massachussetts, who invited Native Americans to share their first harvest. For many Americans, Thanksgiving is a time to share their good fortune with loved ones and to give thanks for all that they have. The traditional meal of roast turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes, greens and gravy followed by pumpkin pie for dessert is often preceded by a friendly game of touch football. Falling on the last Thursday of November, many Americans take advantage of the long weekend to visit distant friends and relatives.
USINT is closed on Thursday, November 26, 2009 in celebration of the Thanksgiving holiday.