Photographs Selected by Jeff Campagna

In 1621, more than 400 years ago, English settlers celebrated their first fall harvest with a feast, and they extended an invitation to the Indigenous people of the area, specifically members of the Wampanoag tribe, who had helped the colonizers adjust to their new home. If not for the Native Americans, it’s likely those Pilgrims would have perished.

That event has come to be known as the “first Thanksgiving.” President George Washington was the first to issue a proclamation for the holiday in 1789, designating Thursday, November 26 “a day of public thanksgiving.” However, it didn’t become a national holiday with a set date until 1863. Some 160 years later, Americans from coast to coast still gather with family and friends on the fourth Thursday of November to express their gratitude for the year’s bounty—and to overeat.

2 - A cheery trumpeter marches along Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia during a Thanksgiving Day parade.
A cheery trumpeter marches along Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia during a Thanksgiving Day parade. Shantanu Saha, Pennsylvania, 2015
3 - Thanksgiving is commonly a busy travel day, and the 2023 holiday is no exception. American Airlines expects to carry a half-million more passengers than last year, flying 7.8 million people on more than 70,000 flights over a 13-day period.
Thanksgiving is commonly a busy travel day, and the 2023 holiday is no exception. American Airlines expects to carry a half-million more passengers than last year, flying 7.8 million people on more than 70,000 flights over a 13-day period. Julia Nikhinson, New York, 2022

4 - The debate continues. Which is the better pie: pumpkin or sweet potato? When it comes to Thanksgiving dessert, pumpkin often wins the competition—one Food Network poll had it handily defeating sweet potato with 75 percent of the votes.
The debate continues. Which is the better pie: pumpkin or sweet potato? When it comes to Thanksgiving dessert, pumpkin often wins the competition—one Food Network poll had it handily defeating sweet potato with 75 percent of the votes. Haylee Winstead, Texas, 2018
5 - Performers in sequined, Christmas red-and-green ensembles wave to those observing the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade from above.
Performers in sequined, Christmas red-and-green ensembles wave to those observing the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade from above. Naitian (Tony) Wang, New York, 2019

6 - Most people associate Thanksgiving Day with football, but who needs passes and plays when paddleboarding is an option? In Corona Del Mar, these two decided to end their Thanksgiving Day enjoying the sunset on the water.
Most people associate Thanksgiving Day with football, but who needs passes and plays when paddleboarding is an option? In Corona Del Mar, these two decided to end their Thanksgiving Day enjoying the sunset on the water. Toni Ravelli, California, 2017
7 - This young pair, celebrating Thanksgiving on their great-grandpa’s farm, is thankful for strong old trees that can securely hold the weight of swinging toddlers.
This young pair, celebrating Thanksgiving on their great-grandpa’s farm, is thankful for strong old trees that can securely hold the weight of swinging toddlers. Brooke Cheatham, Oklahoma, 2018

8 - Parading isn’t for the weak. After a day of marching, young and exhausted bandmembers catch a breath before taking a commemorative photo.
Parading isn’t for the weak. After a day of marching, young and exhausted bandmembers catch a breath before taking a commemorative photo. Jacek Kutyba, New York, 2017
9 - Could this be the beginning of a generations-long tradition? Before they sit down for Thanksgiving dinner, young boys wisely work up an appetite with a game of football.
Could this be the beginning of a generations-long tradition? Before they sit down for Thanksgiving dinner, young boys wisely work up an appetite with a game of football. Gwen Roache, South Carolina, 2015

10 - One camera snapped this image of another camera that’s aimed toward the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Both catch a marching band along the route.
One camera snapped this image of another camera that’s aimed toward the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Both catch a marching band along the route. Sung Lee, New York, 2017
11 - When you’re really enjoying your Thanksgiving turkey and those with you around the table, you can skip the formalities.
When you’re really enjoying your Thanksgiving turkey and those with you around the table, you can skip the formalities. Laurence Boudreau, Maine, 2021

12 - Even those celebrating on a cruise ship can’t completely avoid Thanksgiving Day traffic.
Even those celebrating on a cruise ship can’t completely avoid Thanksgiving Day traffic. Robert Neff, Florida, 2021
13 - Elves! They’re off the shelf and away from Santa’s workshop in time to join the parade and help launch the official start of the holiday season.
Elves! They’re off the shelf and away from Santa’s workshop in time to join the parade and help launch the official start of the holiday season. Peter Brandenstein, New York, 2016

14 - Plot twist! Instead of being the dinner, these birds at an animal sanctuary are enjoying a meal of fresh veggies on Thanksgiving Day.
Plot twist! Instead of being the dinner, these birds at an animal sanctuary are enjoying a meal of fresh veggies on Thanksgiving Day. Sandra Severson, Pennsylvania, 2022
15 - Could these stars photographed at Joshua Tree National Park be the same stars that the Native Americans and European colonizers gazed upon during that fall harvest feast in 1621 that would come to be known as Thanksgiving? It’s possible.
Could these stars photographed at Joshua Tree National Park be the same stars that the Native Americans and European colonizers gazed upon during that fall harvest feast in 1621 that would come to be known as Thanksgiving? It’s possible. Michael Hallman, California, 2015

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Tracy Scott Forson is a senior editor at Smithsonian magazine.

Jeff Campagna

Jeff Campagna is a photo editor at Smithsonian magazine. You can follow him on Instagram at @jeffcampagna.