US Embassy in Manila closed Nov. 24 for Thanksgiving Day

The United States Embassy in Manila will be closed on Thursday (Nov. 24) to mark Thanksgiving Day, which is considered an American holiday. In an announcement on its Facebook page, the US Embassy said it will resume its normal services on Friday, November 25. "The U.S. Embassy in Manila and its affiliated offices will be closed on Thursday, November 24, 2011 in celebration of Thanksgiving Day, an American holiday. The Embassy and affiliated agencies will reopen to the public and resume services on Friday, November 25, 2011," it said. According to the website Thanksgiving-Day.org, Thanksgiving Day is a joyous family festival that commemorates the feast held by the Pilgrim colonists and members of the Wampanoag people at Plymouth in 1621. On this day people express gratitude to God for his blessings and give thanks to dear ones for their love and support. "Feasting with family is an integral and most delightful part of Thanksgiving Day celebrations," it said. It said that in the summer of 1621, pilgrims called for a day of fasting and prayer during a severe drought to please God and ask for a bountiful harvest in the coming season. God answered their prayers and it rained at the end of the day, and saved the corn crops. "The grand feast was organized to thank God for his favors. This communal dinner is popularly known as 'The first thanksgiving feast.' There is however, no evidence to prove if the dinner actually took place," it noted. — RSJ, GMA News