Thanksgiving in La Antigua Guatemala
Thanksgiving Day is not a tradition from La Antigua Guatemala or even from Guatemala or Central America for the matter since at the time the traditional “first Thanksgiving” is venerated as having occurred at the site of Plymouth Plantation, in 1621, La Antigua Guatemala had already celebrated its 78 anniversary as the third capital of the Spanish colony of Guatemala, a large region that included almost all of present-day Central America and the southernmost State of Mexico: Chiapas. In 1566 King Felipe II of Spain gave it the title of “Muy Noble y Muy Leal” (“Very Noble and Very Loyal”).
Nevertheless, Thanksgiving Day or Día de Acción de Gracias as it is known in Spanish this harvest festival is observed and celebrated by the large expat community living La Antigua Guatemala. So if you’re in town today, there will be many places where you can have a turkey dinner. Bon Appetite!
For those living in the U.S., my very best wishes for a Thanksgiving Day with the family and friends full of reasons to express gratitude.
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