VERY SOON, OUR COUNTRY, THE UNITED STATES, WILL BE CELEBRATING THANKSGIVING. WE THINK BACK TO WHEN OUR COUNTRY WAS VERY YOUNG. PILGRIMS HAD COME TO AMERICA FROM ENGLAND TO PRACTICE THEIR RELIGION IN FREEDOM AND PEACE. AFTER A GOOD HARVEST, THE PILGRIMS INVITED THE NATIVE AMERICAN INDIANS WHO HAD HELPED THEM TO SHARE A WONDERFUL MEAL. THE PILGRIMS GAVE THANKS FOR GOD'S CARE AND BLESSINGS.

IN ANCIENT CULTURES, HARVEST TIME WAS A SPECIAL TIME OF THANKSGIVING SINCE FOOD HAD BEEN PROVIDED FOR ANOTHER YEAR. FOR 3,000 YEARS, JEWISH FAMILIES HAVE CELEBRATED A HARVEST FESTIVAL CALLED SUKKOTH.

TODAY, COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD HAVE DAYS OF THANKSGIVING AS WELL. A FEW ARE ARGENTINA, BRAZIL, CANADA, JAPAN, AND KOREA. IN GREAT BRITAIN THE HARVEST IS CELEBRATED WITH SPECIAL DECORATIONS IN CHURCHES. A THANKSGIVING SQUARE IS BEING ESTABLISHED IN NORTHERN IRELAND.

WHO ARE YOU THANKFUL FOR RIGHT NOW?
Your mother? Your father? Your brother? Your sister?
Your grandparents?
GOD?

WHAT ARE YOU THANKFUL FOR RIGHT NOW?
Your home? Your school? Your pet? Your country?

DO YOU HAVE A POEM THAT WOULD TELL US ABOUT BEING THANKFUL? PLEASE SHARE YOUR POEM BY SUBMITTING IT TO US THROUGH E-MAIL. VISITORS FROM AROUND THE WORLD WILL BE ABLE TO READ YOUR POEM ON WORLDWIDE CHILDREN'S POETRY FOR PEACE.

I WILL THANK YOU, O LORD MY GOD, WITH ALL MY HEART,
AND GLORIFY YOUR NAME FOR EVERMORE.
PSALM 86:12