Thanksgiving is more than just turkey and pumpkin pie.  It's also a time for families to come together and express their gratitude. Rich with history, Thanksgiving is also surrounded by some interesting facts. Here are just a few that you might like to share:

George Washington was the first to issue a Thanksgiving proclamation in 1789. In this proclamation he asked Americans to be thankful for the "happy conclusion to the country's war of independence and the successful ratification of the U.S. Constitution (www.history.com/topics/constitution)."

• New York was the first state to officially adopt an annual Thanksgiving holiday in 1817.
• In 1863, Abraham Lincoln scheduled Thanksgiving for the last Thursday in November.
• The date remained that way until 1939, when Franklin D. Roosevelt moved Thanksgiving up a week, to November 23, since retailers hoped the extended holiday shopping season would boost sales. This caused confusion, as not all states adopted the change. Congress finally passed a law on December 26, 1941, declaring that Thanksgiving would occur every year on the fourth Thursday of November.
• The Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, originating in 1924, stretches for more than 2 miles and attracts more than 2 million spectators.
• One turkey is "pardoned" every year by the President of the United States.
• Whether it's roasted, baked or deep fried, according to the National Turkey Federation, 90 percent of Americans eat turkey.