What day is Thanksgiving in 2021? Why does the day change every year?

Chris Pugh, The Columbus Dispatch
·1 min read

There are certain holiday calendar dates in the U.S. that appear set in stone.

New Year's Day falls on Jan. 1 and Christmas Day is Dec. 25.

Although we know that Thanksgiving Day is in November and we celebrate on Thursday every year, many still wonder what day Thanksgiving is each year.

Why?

The date has been far from set in stone since Abraham Lincoln began the holiday near the end of the Civil War.

So here is what we know about Thanksgiving Day, from when it's celebrated this year to the changing history of the day to be thankful, eat turkey and be thankful.

For many people, turkey is the prize on Thanksgiving.
For many people, turkey is the prize on Thanksgiving.

When is Thanksgiving 2021?

Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, Nov. 25 this year.

Is there anything consistent about Thanksgiving?

The holiday is always observed on the fourth Thursday in November.

According to information from The Old Farmer's Almanac, Abraham Lincoln was the first person who decided to have Thanksgiving on a particular day, not date.

Portrait of Abraham Lincoln
Portrait of Abraham Lincoln

When did Thanksgiving Day start?

Lincoln called on Americans to observe the last Thursday of November "as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise" after the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863.

In this Aug. 14, 1935, photo President Franklin Roosevelt signs the Social Security bill in Washington. The first old-age monthly benefit check was paid in 1940, years after Roosevelt signed the act in 1935.
In this Aug. 14, 1935, photo President Franklin Roosevelt signs the Social Security bill in Washington. The first old-age monthly benefit check was paid in 1940, years after Roosevelt signed the act in 1935.

Franklin D. Roosevelt tried to change it

Franklin D. Roosevelt moved Thanksgiving to the third Thursday of November by proclamation as the country was coming out the the Great Depression with hopes that an extra week of holiday shopping would help the economy.

But not everybody liked the idea.

According to The Center for Legislative Archives, 16 of 48 states at the time declined to accept the change, so Congress officially set the fourth Thursday of November as Thanksgiving across the country in 1941.

Information from Rashika Jaipuriar of the Indianapolis Star was used to compile this story.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Why Thanksgiving Day changes calendar days every year