Thanksgiving in the U.S.: What This Holiday Reveals About American Culture
- Murtaz Navsariwala
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Every immigrant who steps on American soil feels, in some way, the impact of the local culture. And there are moments throughout the year when that feeling becomes even stronger - one of them is Thanksgiving.
More than just a holiday, Thanksgiving Day carries values deeply rooted in the heart of the United States - gratitude, resilience, community, and new beginnings.
And if you dream of living legally in the U.S., understanding this holiday can also be a step toward connecting more deeply with the life you hope to build here.That’s exactly what you will find in this article - stay with us until the end!
Table of Content
What is Thanksgiving?
Thanksgiving Day is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November and has its origins in 1621, when British pilgrims and Native Americans joined together to celebrate the first successful harvest after a challenging year.
At that time, hunger, cold, and adaptation difficulties almost destroyed their plans. But with the help of Native communities and the determination of the settlers, everything turned around.They gathered not just to eat, but to give thanks for survival and new opportunities.
More than 400 years later, Americans still honor this tradition - now as a time for:
Reflection and gratitude for the year’s achievements
Connection with family
Acts of solidarity and volunteer work
Celebration of life, resilience, and new beginnings
The culture behind Thanksgiving
For many Americans, Thanksgiving is even more important than Christmas.It is the holiday that represents the essence of the American spirit - celebrating the journey, the effort, and the belief that better days are coming.
The Thanksgiving table is almost a ritual: roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie, cranberry sauce.In schools, offices, and homes, it is common to see people creating gratitude lists and reflecting on what they value most.It is a moment that reinforces the idea of community and belonging.
What Thanksgiving represents for immigrants
For many people who arrive in the United States seeking a new life, Thanksgiving becomes one of the most emotional moments of the year. It is much more than sitting at the table and eating turkey - it is a day filled with profound meaning, especially for those who have endured the challenges of starting over.
For an immigrant, Thanksgiving represents:
A reminder of how much has already been achieved
It’s a moment to look back and recognize the courage it took to leave your home country, give up what was familiar, and take risks to pursue something greater.
The celebration of a new beginning
Experiencing Thanksgiving for the first time in a new home feels almost symbolic - as if life is saying: “You made it. You are building something new.”
A feeling of welcome and inclusion
Many immigrants spend their first Thanksgiving away from their families.However, American culture values opening the doors to newcomers - creating deep and meaningful connections.This gesture turns strangers into friends, and friends into family.
An opportunity to dream even bigger
When an immigrant gives thanks, they aren’t grateful only for what they already have - but for what they are still building: For a future where their family lives safely, freely, and with dignity.
For a future where their children have greater opportunities.For a future where they can look back and proudly say:“It was worth it.”
And that’s why Thanksgiving is emotional - it honors exactly what drives every immigrant: Hope. Faith. Persistence. The belief that big dreams can transform destinies.
And when an immigrant finally celebrates their first Thanksgiving holding the long-awaited Green Card, this holiday becomes something even greater - a celebration of freedom and achievement.
Want to live legally in the U.S.? Your dream can start now
If your heart beats faster when you imagine a life in the U.S…If you want to give your family more opportunities…If you have imagined living the American Dream with dignity, stability, and freedom…
Then maybe this year’s Thanksgiving is the turning point of your story.
Murtaz Law can help you turn that dream into reality.
We are a law firm founded by Dr. Murtaz, specializing in immigration to the United States. We have already helped hundreds of Brazilians and other nationalities obtain visas, Green Cards, and even U.S. citizenship.
With humanized service, strategy, and a results-driven approach, our mission is to be the legal partner for those who dream big.
👉 Click the link and schedule a personalized consultation with our team.
About Murtaz Law
With more than a decade of experience, we take pride in guiding families and individuals on their journey to legally immigrate to the USA, whether temporarily or permanently.
Our success story spans a variety of cases, including temporary immigration, family reunification, naturalization, and especially, work visas like the EB2-NIW, which leads to the Green Card. Over the years, we have built a solid reputation and become a reference for skilled professionals, artists, and elite athletes who wish to expand their careers or undertake ventures in the USA.
Our 99.5% approval rate in cases demonstrates our commitment to a personalized approach, combining ethics, creativity, and deep knowledge of the laws and economic issues. We recognize that each client has a unique story and work side by side, individually, to create tailored strategies that achieve the desired outcomes. We take the importance of our work in our clients' lives seriously. Your future deserves a unique strategy, and we at Murtaz Law have the experience and expertise to meet your immigration needs.