Thanksgiving is a communal gesture
celebrated all over the world. The significance of thanksgiving day
stems from the need to display gratitude through prayer, hymns and gift
giving.
UN Declaration
Though thanksgiving originated in America, but it has spread its wings
to other continents of the world as well. In November 1997, as a
communal effort to reunite people all over the world, the millennium
year 2000 was proclaimed as the 'International year of Thanksgiving' by
the United Nations. This was first time ever that the general assembly
voted unanimously in favour of a spiritual idea. The responsibility to
take lead was given to Center for world Thanksgiving situated at
Thanks-Giving Square. The idea behind the declaration was to spread
peace, harmony and brotherhood.
United Nations decided the year 2000 as the 'International thanksgiving
year' in order to celebrate the gift of life as the noblest expression
of the human spirit.
The activities undertaken by Center of World Thanksgiving included
surveying the members countries of United nations and study their
harvest related festivals. The survey laid emphasis on the importance of
thanksgiving as an expression of gratitude in history, in arts, in
philosophy and in religion. The declaration also served the purpose of
fostering cultural relations among different countries.
Lastly, the declaration intended to promote friendly relations among
nations.
