It might have started in the USA and maybe in Canada, but Thanksgiving has currently poured over to the United Kingdom which is now participating in this ceremony that is practiced widely elsewhere in the world as well.
In the UK, Thanksgiving arise from a festival which is more commonly known as the Harvest festival and began in 1843. This was claimed to have originated in the churches when Robert Hawker invited his village men to partake in a special thanksgiving service at the church of Cornwall. This started with the people’s response of decorating the church with home grown items. Another ritual that is practiced to ensure a good harvest to the people is the offering of the first sheaf of corn to the God of fertility. Through this means, they expect the next harvest to be successful so that their men can be happy and content. The last sheaf of corn is also said to carry a spirit and these corn dolls are claimed to symbolize the goddess of grains.
The celebrations which started from a long time back, still survives to this date. Although it is not declared as a national holiday yet, the event gathers considerable number of visitors every year. Held on a day near the new harvest moon, and on a date in September, the event has not yet gained itself the status for a national holiday. The tradition gained special attention and consideration during English reformation and today it is a means for many to appreciate the blessings granted to them by god in their everyday lives. On this occasion, children actively take part by singing hymns and offering fruits and vegetables to others and carrying out the traditions that have sustained for centuries now.
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