Prime Time 2, reading I term

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Day is celebrated in the United States on the last Thursday in November. This holiday is one of the big six major holidays of the year. People of all faiths* celebrate this day. They give thanks for the many good things in their lives.

Thanksgiving Day has been an official United States holiday since 1863, when President Abraham Lincoln, proclaimed* that Thursday, 26 November, should be a day of national gratitude*. Before that this holiday celebrated English settlers of the Plymouth colony, who had to endure a rough* first winter in New England.

Thanksgiving Day is a traditional family holiday. So on that day families always come together, especially for the wonderful meal. A large roasted turkey with stuffing* is the most common main dish of a Thanksgiving dinner, that’s why Thanksgiving is sometimes called “Turkey Day”. At Thanksgiving 2012, were purchased* more than 46 million turkeys by Americans. Turkey usually served with sweet potatoes or mashed potatoes, vegetables, cranberry sauce*, and pumpkin or apple pie. Apple cider* is a traditional drink.

Before the meal begins, families or friends usually pause* to give thanks for their blessings*, including the joy of being united for the occasion*.

Thanksgiving is a special day that asks people to help those who are in need. Charitable organizations* serve dinners to needy people*, visit nursing-homes* and local children’s hospitals. Ordinary Americans help poor people too. They invite poor friends for Thanksgiving dinner, send baskets of food to the elderly and sick or donate some food to local food bank*.

*

faith – віра

to proclaim – проголошувати

gratitude – вдячність

to endure – терпіти, видержувати

rough – суворий

with stuffing – з начинкою. фарширований

to purchase – купувати, закупити

cranberry sauce – журавлинний соус

apple cider – сидр

to pause – робити паузу

blessing – благословення, молитва

for the occasion – з такої нагоди

charitable organizations – благодійні організації

needy people – бідняки

nursing-home – будинок для людей похилого віку або інвалидів

needy – нужденний, бідний

food bank – благодійний продовольчий фонд