When is Thanksgiving 2020? The Holiday is Earlier This Year
Let's face it: 2020 has been, well, a bust. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, many Americans are sheltering-in-place, canceling plans, and foregoing any previous travel arrangements in an attempt to mitigate the spread of the virus. And while it's impossible to know what the fall or winter months will look like (although, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has predicted that "fall and the winter of 2020 and 2021 are going to be probably one of the most difficult times that we've experienced in American public health"), there's no harm in looking to the end of the year for a little reprieve. Thanksgiving, though marred by its actual history, is considered the celebratory kick-off to the holiday season, and for some solid reasons. After all, who doesn't love creamy mashed potatoes, warm pie, and some nap-inducing turkey?
So while Thanksgiving is sure to look a little different this year, that doesn't mean those of us looking for a break from mundane quarantine life can't start planning for that wonderfully gluttonous day a tad early.
When is Thanksgiving in 2020?
This year, Thanksgiving will be celebrated on Thursday, November 26, 2020. Last year it was on November 28, which made waiting for the actual day and the official start to the Holiday season excruciatingly long. Two days may not sound like much, but in the grand scheme of celebrating holidays, getting two extra days to put up and enjoy the holiday decorations makes a big difference. (Or you can be like me, and start celebrating Christmas in September with a brief break to eat some pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving and then back to 24/7 holiday cheer.)
Why does the Thanksgiving date change every year?
Unlike other Holidays, like Christmas, which is always on December 25, or Valentine's Day, which is always on February 14, Thanksgiving's date changes every year. According to NPR, we can thank some of our former presidents for this often confusing celebration schedule.
Originally, Abraham Lincoln wanted Thanksgiving to be on the last Thursday in November, so it was until Franklin D. Roosevelt changed things up a bit in 1939. Roosevelt moved the holiday to the penultimate Thursday in November, to provide an extra week of holiday shopping. This changed occurred at the time of the Great Depression, and influential business leaders had pushed Roosevelt to change the date years prior in the hope of stimulating the economy and increasing revenue. The schedule changed once more in 1941 when America had climbed out of the Depression and Congress voted to move the holiday back to the fourth Thursday of November.
That's how it's remained ever since, which is why the holiday is sometimes celebrated around November 22 and sometimes celebrated as late as November 28, depending on how the Thursdays fall.
Thanksgiving in 2020 will be different.
So far, 2020 has given Americans one big change after another, and Thanksgiving will be no different. For starters, some big box retailers are closing on Thanksgiving Day to give their hardworking staff a bit of a break. In recent years, the Black Friday sales have actually started on Thanksgiving Day, eliminated the ability for many retail workers to spend the day with their families or friends. But due to COVID-19, that won't happen this year.
Walmart was among the first stores to announce store closures for Thanksgiving. "We know this has been a trying year, and our associates have stepped up. We hope they will enjoy a special Thanksgiving Day at home with their loved ones," President and CEO of Walmart U.S. John Furner said. "We are certainly thankful to our people for all of their efforts."
Target soon followed suit, announcing they will shut their doors for the holiday as well. Instead of offering Black Friday sales beginning on Thanksgiving, Target said that they'll have holiday deals all season long, starting in October. That way, shoppers can practice social distancing while cashing in on the holiday savings.
Additionally, KIRO-TV reported that stores like J.C. Penney, Best Buy, Dick's Sporting Goods, Kohl's, Bed, Bath, & Beyond, and more are joining Target and Walmart in staying closed on Thanksgiving.
Now we all just have extra incentive to stay inside on November 26 and shamelessly indulge in a festive Thanksgiving meal.
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