Thanksgiving is a cherished holiday in the United States, a time for family, food, and reflection. As November progresses, many begin to wonder, “What Date Is Thanksgiving 2024?” This year, Thanksgiving falls on the latest possible date, prompting questions about why it’s so late in November. Planning your Thanksgiving menu, travel, or gatherings? Knowing the exact date is essential.
Thanksgiving 2024 Date: November 28th
Mark your calendars: Thanksgiving in 2024 will be celebrated on Thursday, November 28th. This date marks the latest possible Thanksgiving can occur in the month of November. For those accustomed to Thanksgiving falling earlier in the month, this late date might seem unusual, leading to curiosity about the reason behind it.
The Fourth Thursday Tradition: Why Thanksgiving is on This Date
The reason Thanksgiving is observed on November 28th in 2024 is rooted in a law established by the U.S. Congress in 1941. This act officially declared that Thanksgiving should be celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November each year. This consistent rule ensures that the holiday falls within a predictable timeframe annually, but why the fourth Thursday? The answer lies in a bit of presidential and political history.
A History of Thanksgiving Dates: From Lincoln to FDR
While the first national “Day of Publick Thanksgiving” was proclaimed by President George Washington in 1789 and fell on November 26th, the date of Thanksgiving wasn’t always fixed. For many years following, the date was set annually, sometimes even varying in month, with each president making the declaration.
President Abraham Lincoln, in 1863, sought to bring more consistency, declaring Thanksgiving to be on the last Thursday of November. This tradition held for a considerable period until 1939 when President Franklin D. Roosevelt stepped in due to economic concerns related to Christmas shopping.
In 1939, November had five Thursdays, and the last Thursday fell on November 30th. Worried that a late Thanksgiving would shorten the Christmas shopping season and potentially hinder economic recovery during the Great Depression, Roosevelt moved Thanksgiving to the second to last Thursday of November.
This decision, however, proved controversial. It led to a split across the nation, with some states adhering to Roosevelt’s change and others refusing to adjust, creating confusion about when Thanksgiving should actually be celebrated. To resolve this national calendar confusion, Congress intervened in 1941, officially legislating that Thanksgiving would be on the fourth Thursday of November. This fixed date ensured consistency and put an end to the yearly presidential declarations and date variations.
Why November 28th is the Latest Possible Thanksgiving
November 28th is the latest possible date for Thanksgiving because of the “fourth Thursday” rule. When November has five Thursdays, the fourth Thursday becomes the latest possible option before entering the last few days of the month. Since Thanksgiving is fixed to this fourth Thursday, and November 2024 indeed has five Thursdays, the holiday naturally falls on this later date.
Understanding the history behind the date of Thanksgiving adds depth to the holiday celebration. So, as you plan your Thanksgiving festivities for 2024, remember it’s on Thursday, November 28th, the latest possible date, thanks to a blend of tradition, presidential decisions, and congressional action.
