On what frequency does Thanksgiving occur on November 23?

Holidays & Special Events

By Kristy Tolley

Thanksgiving Day is one of the most celebrated holidays in the United States. It is a day when people gather with family and friends to give thanks for all the blessings in their lives. However, the date of Thanksgiving can be quite confusing, as it falls on a different day each year. In this article, we will explore the frequency of Thanksgiving and why it occurs on November 23.

The Date of Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. This means that it can fall on any date between November 22 and November 28. It is a federal holiday in the United States, and many businesses and schools are closed on this day.

The Origins of Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Day has its roots in the harvest festivals that were celebrated by Native American tribes. The first recorded Thanksgiving in the United States was held in 1621, when the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Indians shared a feast to celebrate a successful harvest. The modern-day Thanksgiving celebration is a blend of these early harvest festivals and the religious traditions of the Puritans.

The Frequency of Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Day occurs once a year, but it falls on a different date each year. This is because it is based on the Gregorian calendar, which is a solar calendar. The Gregorian calendar has 365 days in a year, but it takes the Earth 365.24 days to orbit the sun. To account for this discrepancy, an extra day is added to the calendar every four years, in a leap year.

Why Does Thanksgiving Fall on a Different Date Each Year?

Thanksgiving falls on a different date each year because it is based on the Gregorian calendar, which is a solar calendar. This means that it is based on the Earth’s orbit around the sun. However, the lunar calendar, which is based on the cycles of the moon, is also used to determine the date of Thanksgiving.

The Calculation of Thanksgiving’s Date

The date of Thanksgiving is calculated using a formula that takes into account both the solar and lunar calendars. The formula is as follows: Thanksgiving Day = (the fourth Thursday of November) – (the number of days between Thursday and the next new moon).

The Role of the Moon in Determining Thanksgiving’s Date

The moon plays a crucial role in determining the date of Thanksgiving. This is because it is used to calculate the start of the month in the lunar calendar. The new moon is the first day of the month, and the full moon is the fifteenth day of the month. The lunar calendar has 29.5 days in a month, which is why it is sometimes called the "synodic month."

The Formula for Calculating Thanksgiving’s Date

The formula for calculating the date of Thanksgiving is based on the solar and lunar calendars. It takes into account the fourth Thursday of November and the number of days between Thursday and the next new moon. This formula ensures that Thanksgiving falls on a different date each year, but always on the fourth Thursday of November.

The Last Time Thanksgiving Occurred on November 23

The last time Thanksgiving occurred on November 23 was in 2017. It was a memorable year, as it was the first time in more than 150 years that Thanksgiving and Hanukkah fell on the same day.

When Thanksgiving Will Occur on November 23 Again

Thanksgiving will occur on November 23 again in 2023. It will be a time for families to gather and give thanks for all their blessings.

Other Interesting Facts About Thanksgiving’s Date

  • Thanksgiving has been celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November since 1941.
  • In 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt moved Thanksgiving to the third Thursday of November to help boost the economy. However, this move was not popular, and it was changed back to the fourth Thursday in 1941.
  • Thanksgiving is not celebrated outside of the United States, except in some Canadian provinces.

Conclusion

Thanksgiving Day is an important holiday in the United States, as it is a time for families to come together and give thanks for all the blessings in their lives. While the date of Thanksgiving can be confusing, it is based on a formula that takes into account both the solar and lunar calendars. This ensures that Thanksgiving falls on a different date each year, but always on the fourth Thursday of November.

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Kristy Tolley

Kristy Tolley, an accomplished editor at TravelAsker, boasts a rich background in travel content creation. Before TravelAsker, she led editorial efforts at Red Ventures Puerto Rico, shaping content for Platea English. Kristy's extensive two-decade career spans writing and editing travel topics, from destinations to road trips. Her passion for travel and storytelling inspire readers to embark on their own journeys.

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