Thanksgiving Break starts Friday, November 22, a week after progress reports and in total lasting until Monday, December 2nd.

Which, if you’re not doing anything over the entire break can be used to work on assignments or study.

Thanksgiving in the United States started over 400 years ago. The first famous Thanksgiving happened in 1621 when a group of Pilgrims  and some of Native Americans in Massachusetts, shared a meal to celebrate a good harvest. The Pilgrims had struggled during their first winter in America, but were taught by the Native Americans how to do it well and efficiently.

At first Thanksgiving was not a official holiday until much later. During the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln made Thanksgiving a national holiday.

In 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt moved Thanksgiving to the fourth Thursday in November to help businesses get ready for Christmas shopping. The day after Thanksgiving is commonly referred to as Black Friday because retailers sell Christmas gifts so much so that their balance sheets are in “the black,” meaning they are making and not owing any money.

In modern times most people typically spend Thanksgiving with their family either in their own homes or travel and go for a short vacation somewhere else.

During the Thanksgiving feast, celebrants reflect on what they are thankful for in life, share a meal, and recount stories.

“I think this tradition is one of the neatest ones for a holiday and a great way to spend time with my family,” said sophomore Nicholas De Izaguirre.

Leading it up the actual day of Thanksgiving, people have the opportunity if they are not traveling to go out with their friends and not worry about homework.

“I’m thinking of staying here in Miami. I might go to go to the gym and work out with some of my friends,” said senior Lorenzo Buttice.