Traditions and Customs of
The United States of America
PRESENTATION BY:
JOSEPH LIN
ECONOMIC OFFICER
U.S. CONSULATE
GENERAL, SHANGHAI
Immigrant Influences
Important influences came
from other parts of Europe,
such as Ireland, Germany,
Poland and Italy; Africa,
from which came the
ancestors of most African
Americans, originally
brought over as slaves in the
American South (freed in
1863 during U.S. Civil War);
Latin America and
Asia/Pacific now growing
Diversity in Customs
Thanksgiving Holiday
Thanksgiving Origins
 Most historians and Americans identify Thanksgiving
with the Pilgrims at Plymouth colony.
Difficult Journey to America
 In the search for religious freedom, in 1620 a group of Pilgrims
sailed from England to Massachusetts.
 The Pilgrims’ first winter was very hard and many of them
died. Of the 102 people who left England, only 50 survived.
Help from the Native Americans
The Native Americans showed
the newcomers how to plant
potatoes, tomatoes, and
other foods that the
Europeans had never seen
before.
They showed their new
neighbors how to make
medicine from plants and how
to catch fresh fish.
Giving Thanks
The Pilgrims were grateful to their new friends who helped
them survive that first difficult winter.
To show their gratitude to God, the Pilgrims hosted a three-day
feast in honor of the Native Americans.
Thanksgiving: National Holiday
 In 1863, in the midst of the
American Civil War President
Abraham Lincoln declared that a
day be set aside to give thanks
and praise.
 The day chosen was the last
Thursday of November.
 Lincoln’s proclamation began an
American tradition that has now
lasted for 144 years.
Current Customs : At Home
Current Customs : Government
New Customs: Black Friday
Happy Thanks givi