Thanksgiving 2023 Arrives on Second-Latest Date: What to Know

UPDATE: Thanksgiving 2023 will fall on November 27, marking the second-latest date possible for the holiday. As families begin planning their festivities, many are feeling the stretch of time until they gather around the table, with the next major holiday still weeks away.

This year’s Thanksgiving is especially significant, as it is just one day shy of the latest possible date the holiday can occur, which will be November 28 in 2024. The earliest Thanksgiving can be celebrated is November 22, a date not seen since 2018 and will not return until 2029.

While these dates may seem arbitrary, they are rooted in a long history of U.S. tradition. Thanksgiving was first proclaimed by President George Washington in 1789, falling on November 26. For decades, the holiday’s timing varied dramatically, with different presidents declaring Thanksgiving on various dates. For example, President James Madison proclaimed Thanksgiving on September 9 in 1813 and again on March 16 in 1815.

In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln established the last Thursday of November as Thanksgiving, a tradition that continued until 1939. That year, President Franklin D. Roosevelt sought to extend the Christmas shopping season by moving Thanksgiving to the second-to-last Thursday. While 32 states adjusted to this new date, 16 states refused, leading to a national split until 1941, when Congress officially designated Thanksgiving as the fourth Thursday of November.

As Thanksgiving approaches, many are already excitedly planning for traditional meals and gatherings. Online grocery retailers are even launching deals, with Amazon recently announcing a $25 Thanksgiving dinner for five people, making it easier for families to celebrate despite economic pressures.

Looking ahead, the next Thanksgiving will be slightly earlier on November 26, 2024. As families prepare for the upcoming holiday, the anticipation grows, underscoring the importance of tradition and togetherness during this festive season.

Stay tuned for more updates as we move closer to Thanksgiving 2023.