Thanksgiving is definitely the most beloved American holiday among Latinos, as it hits the most important cultural, familial, and culinary notes for all Latinos who call the United States home, according to LatinoUs Beauty.

Thanksgiving has its roots in the 1621 celebration in Plymouth, Massachusetts; an event that marked the coming together of English settlers, known as Pilgrims, and Native Americans from the Wampanoag tribe to celebrate the corn harvest and the end of a harsh winter that had devastated the settler population. Today, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November and is considered a time for families to come together and express gratitude.

Despite its festive origins, the holiday is also seen by many Native Americans as a day of mourning due to the consequences of colonization. The publication states that the celebration in no way means that Latinos are unaware of or do not identify with the dark history of this holiday. For Native Americans, this is a day of mourning, and as conquered indigenous peoples, most Latinos know that their history has been one of similar pain and sadness.

However, according to LatinoUs Beauty, Thanksgiving is also about two unique cultures coming together. The spirit of the first Thanksgiving was one of camaraderie and brotherhood between two peoples who shared common challenges. And with that, Latinos can relate.

The holiday is about the three things that are most important to Latinos: family, food, and faith. Thanksgiving brings family together. There are no gifts to exchange, just bread to share with loved ones and an opportunity to be truly grateful for what you have.

For Latinos, there is no holiday without family, so any event that can be celebrated with their family is appreciated. And as for being grateful, anyone from Latin or South America who has built a life for themselves and their family in the U.S. knows about gratitude for what they have been given by their “adopted homeland.”

Latino Thanksgiving is a celebration. In addition to gathering around the dinner table for an epic Thanksgiving meal, for Latinos, there are generous amounts of alcohol. And then, there is music. And what comes with music? Dancing! Because we can’t listen to music without dancing.

Additionally, while the official translation of Thanksgiving is “día de acción de gracias,” you may also hear references to “San Giving” at a Latino Thanksgiving. A “san” or “saint” is the theme of many festivals throughout Latin America. And so, “San Giving” is a subtle nod to Latino roots as well.

Every year, hundreds of thousands of Latino families come together to celebrate a day of love, gratitude, delicious food, and glorious feasting. And while Latinos add their own voices to the celebration, they do so with gratitude and love.

By adapting Thanksgiving to their own culinary and family traditions, it demonstrates not only cultural assimilation but also the contribution that Latinos have made to the fabric of American society, and the growing presence of Latinos in the United States enriches the celebration of Thanksgiving, transforming it into a more diverse event that is representative of the many cultures that make up the country. The holiday is not only a time to give thanks for the harvest, but also an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the cultural diversity that characterizes contemporary American society.