Happy Thanksgiving Day!

THANKSGIVING DAY is marked on the last Thursday in November making that weekend a really long one. All generations of every family sit together at the feast table on that day. The Thanksgiving weekend gives the start to the Christmas season.
This holiday has a long history, which started in 1620 when a Protestant religious group known today as ‘Pilgrims’ arrived in the New World on board of the ship called Mayflower, and settled in what is now known as the state of Massachusetts. Their first winter in America was full of hardship and drama. They arrived too late to farm the land, so they starved. Half of the colony died from disease. The following spring the local tribe of Native Americans taught them how to grow corn and other crops. They also helped them to hunt and fish. In the autumn of 1621 the Pilgrims got a rich harvest of corn, barley, beans, pumpkin and other vegetables. They prepared a feast and sat together with the Indian chief and ninety other natives at the abundant dinner tables. Of course, prior to dining they praised the Lord, and thanked Him for all the food and wealth He gave them. This is how the festivity got started.
In the years that followed colonists in many settlements celebrated the harvest with a feast of thanks. After the United States gained Independence the congress recommended a single day of thanksgiving for the entire country. George Washington, the first president of the USA, suggested November 26 as Thanksgiving Day. It was Abraham Lincoln who established the holiday on the last Thursday of November after the end of the Civil War.
A traditional Thanksgiving meal consists of roast turkey stuffed with herb-flavored bread, cranberry jelly, mashed potatoes, and a pumpkin pie. Other dishes may vary regionally: ham, sweet potatoes, creamed corn, maple syrup etc.
Vlad BUDCHENKO and Ann ATAMAS of Group 33-E have prepared more detailed information about all that HERE .

And here are some funny Thanksgiving Day cartoons for you to enjoy!




Do they celebrate THANKSGIVING in CANADA? No, they dont... or do they? Anna ATAMAS knows the answer. It is hidden right HERE .

CANADA, Part 2.

ATTENTION 4th (AND 3rd) COURSE STUDENTS (AND TEACHERS)! The second part of my "Canada" is ready, and published. It covers such topics as "Population and Immigration", "Culture" (including "Education" and "Sports")and "Ukrainians in Canada". The only topic not covered there is "Provinces and Territories". Maybe I will complete it later and add to the previous two as "Part 3." To get your copy of CANADA, Part 2 click your mouse HERE .

P.S. It's so good to be able to keep promises.

CANADA, Part 1 - a topic to learn

ATTENTION STUDENTS OF THE 3rd AND 4th COURSES, AND TEACHERS! The first part of the Country Studies materials about Canada is ready for you. It covers the following issues: General Information, Symbols and Holidays, History and Etymology, Government and Politics, Geographical Position, Climate and Wildlife. Be my guests. Help yourself to some downloads. You can do that by clicking HERE .

P.S. I apologize for some "blue words" remaining in the text. I'll do my best to eliminate them later. I am learning.