Editing Thanksgiving (section)

=== The Origins of Thanksgiving ===
The origins of Thanksgiving trace back to the '''early 17th century''' when English '''Pilgrims''' and Native Americans shared a feast in Plymouth, Massachusetts. After the Pilgrims arrived in 1620 aboard the '''Mayflower''', they faced a harsh winter where nearly half of the settlers died. In 1621, with the help of the '''Wampanoag Native Americans''', the Pilgrims learned to grow corn, fish, and gather food. To celebrate their successful harvest, they organized a three-day feast, which is often considered the “First Thanksgiving.”

Although this gathering is seen as the origin of the holiday, Thanksgiving was not celebrated consistently until much later. It wasn’t until '''1863''' that President '''Abraham Lincoln''', in the midst of the Civil War, declared Thanksgiving a national holiday. He called for a day of thanksgiving and praise to God, marking it as a way to unite the country during difficult times.