Thanksgiving Arrives Late This Year: November 27 Date Confirmed

UPDATE: Thanksgiving will fall on its second-latest date ever this year, landing on November 27, 2024. With Halloween now behind us, many are already counting down to the festive holiday. This unique timing means Thanksgiving is later than usual, creating a buzz about holiday plans and shopping.

This year, Thanksgiving arrives just two days shy of the latest possible date, which occurs next in 2024 when it will be celebrated on November 28. The earliest Thanksgiving can be celebrated is November 22, a date that hasn’t occurred since 2018 and won’t be seen again until 2029. The anticipation surrounding this year’s later date raises questions about holiday traditions and family gatherings.

Why does Thanksgiving move around so much? The holiday’s date can vary due to historical proclamations and legislative changes over the years. The U.S. has celebrated Thanksgiving since 1789, when President George Washington first established the tradition. It originally fell on November 26. The date fluctuated until 1863, when President Abraham Lincoln declared it to be held on the last Thursday of November.

In a twist of history, President Franklin D. Roosevelt moved Thanksgiving to the second-to-last Thursday in 1939 to extend the Christmas shopping season during the Great Depression. This led to confusion, with 32 states adopting the new date while 16 states kept the original. It wasn’t until 1941 that Congress officially established Thanksgiving as the fourth Thursday in November.

As families prepare for this year’s celebration, many are eager to know about special events, including the iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. This year promises a star-studded lineup, adding excitement to the holiday festivities.

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, many Americans are feeling the impact of this late date on their holiday plans, especially with grocery shopping and meal preparations. The late arrival may mean a tighter timeframe for families to gather and celebrate.

Stay tuned for more updates on Thanksgiving events and related news as the day approaches. The countdown is on, and preparations are in full swing!