Today is the national day of giving thanks. It started as the fall feast before winter sets in and after the harvest is done and stored. It is an ancient tradition for agrarian peoples who felt a need to mark the time of plenty in hopes that it would ensure more plenty. Not really effective but the rites serve to remind people of the work needed to sustain life. Did the ancient hunter gatherers also have a fall feast? They also spent a lot of effort getting ready for the harsh winter like the bear who feasts to store fat to sustain it thru the winter sleep.