From Turkey to Frenzy: How Two November Days Reflect America’s Dual Nature

There are things that make America, well, America. Hollywood, skyscrapers, baseball, Route 66, the jazz clubs of New Orleans, and the lights of Times Square. But none of these symbols captures the soul of the country as precisely as Thanksgiving — a holiday of family, generosity, and inner warmth.

This is not just another day on the calendar. It is a moment when all of America seems to pause to say the most important word — thank you.

You might be the CEO of a big company, a student, a doctor, or a long-haul trucker — but on this day, you go home. Even if it’s across the country. Even if the tickets cost an arm and a leg. Because at one big table, not just relatives gather — it is family, and in America, that is sacred.

On this day, the air in the U.S. fills with the smell of roasted turkey, fresh bread, pumpkin pie, and something else invisible — a special sense of togetherness. City streets empty, offices close earlier than usual, and homes are bathed in soft light, laughter, and the warmth of unhurried conversations.

Life bustles in the kitchens: someone argues about the perfect stuffing for the turkey; someone else brings out grandma’s sauce recipe; children decorate the table with paper leaves and paint turkeys with their handprints.

Outside the windows — November America. In Boston, light snow falls on the stone steps of old houses, while in California, palm trees are still in bloom. But inside every home, the feeling is the same: gratitude for having loved ones nearby.

And while the world may know the U.S. for its towering skyscrapers and bustling metropolises, true America lives right here — around the family table, amidst the aromas of pumpkin pie, when someone quietly says “thank you.”

This day is precisely what reminds us where it all began, and why the word Thanksgiving sounds almost sacred to Americans.

How Thanksgiving Began: From Survival to Gratitude

To understand why Thanksgiving is so important to Americans, we need to go back in time — to where it all began. This is not just the story of the first meal. It is a story of survival, faith, and mutual support.

In November 1620, the ship Mayflower arrived on the shores of New England carrying just over a hundred people — settlers from Europe. They left their homeland in search of freedom and a new life, but the New World greeted them harshly. Cold, disease, and food shortages claimed the lives of half the colonists. It seemed that all was lost.

But in the spring, when their strength was almost gone, help came from those they least expected — the Native Americans of the Wampanoag tribe. They taught the settlers how to grow corn, catch fish, hunt, and use every gift of the land wisely.
In the fall of 1621, the harvest turned out to be unexpectedly abundant, and the settlers decided to hold a celebration — to give thanks to God and their helpers.

The first celebration lasted three days: they roasted meat, made cornmeal cakes, played games, laughed, and ate together at one table. This was the birth of the first Thanksgiving, which forever remained a symbol of friendship, faith, and new hope.

1. 01. A Holiday That United a Nation
   At first, Thanksgiving was not a nationwide holiday — each state celebrated it differently, and some did not observe it at all. It was only two centuries later, during the Civil War, that President Abraham Lincoln gave the holiday official status. In 1863, he proclaimed: “We should thank God for the mercies He has so freely bestowed upon us, even in times of adversity.”
   Thus, Thanksgiving became a symbol of national unity — a reminder that even in times of discord, there is something that unites everyone: home, family, faith, and gratitude. Today, the holiday is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November — probably the only day when all of America simultaneously puts aside work. No business meetings, no traffic (at least in the morning), no politics — just family coziness, the clinking of dishes, and the smell of roasted turkey.
2. 02. How the Tradition Has Changed
   Over four centuries, much has changed, but the essence of the holiday remains the same. Modern Thanksgiving is not just a dinner; it is a ritual of returning home.
   Statistics show that more flights take place on this day than at any other time of the year. People fly across the country — from New York to California, from Texas to Boston — just to be together.
   And even if today iPhones and MacBooks sit on the table instead of candles, the meaning remains. Thanksgiving is not only about religion or history. It is about human warmth, gratitude, and the simple joys we often forget to appreciate.
3.  03.Symbols of Thanksgiving
   Every element of the holiday carries meaning. These are not just attributes — they are small pieces of the American soul:

• Turkey
  The main symbol. It is called “the turkey day bird.” Legend has it that the first one was hunted by the settlers themselves.
• Pumpkin Pie
  The taste of childhood and coziness. The recipe has been passed down through generations.
• Sweet Potato with Marshmallows
  A dish representing simplicity and generosity.
• Cornbread and Cranberry Sauce
  A tribute to the first colonists and Native Americans.
• Candles and Prayers
  A reminder that the holiday begins not with food, but with gratitude.

It may seem like just a tradition, but if you listen closely on this day, you can hear the true heart of America. Not the noise of the metropolis, not the sound of cash registers, but quiet conversations at the dinner table, the smell of homemade food, children’s laughter, and words of thanks.

A holiday that reminds us that everything we have is not to be taken for granted. Perhaps that is why Thanksgiving remains the warmest, most human holiday in a country where new dreams are born every day.

How America Celebrates Thanksgiving: The Smell of Turkey, the Parade, and the Warm Miracle of November

For most Americans, Thanksgiving is not just a date on the calendar. It is a day when even a huge, busy, and noisy country seems to hit pause.
No matter where you are — in New York, Miami, Denver, or a small town in Iowa — the air feels different. People smile more often, stores decorate their windows with leaves and pumpkins, and everything seems to whisper: “It’s time to go home.”

1. 01. Journey Home
   Statistics show that this is the busiest travel day of the year. Millions of Americans take planes, buses, and cars to make it home in time for dinner. Airports are crowded, traffic stretches for miles, yet no one complains — everyone understands where and why they are going. Even dispatchers and drivers wish travelers Happy Thanksgiving! with special warmth.
   On the way home, anticipation builds: mom is baking a pie, dad is roasting the turkey, and one of the children is thinking about what they will be thankful for this year.
2. 02. Morning: Macy’s Parade — a Street Celebration in New York
   The day begins with the TV — and this is sacred. Every year since 1924, the legendary Macy’s Parade takes place in New York — colorful, loud, and incredibly grand.
   Orchestras, performers, dancers, and dozens of giant balloons — cartoon characters, superheroes, animals, and fairy-tale figures — march through the streets of Manhattan.
   Crowds gather long before the start, wrapped in blankets, with coffee and donuts in hand. Over Broadway, a huge Spider-Man floats, followed by Snoopy, then Minions, and finally Santa Claus.
   This moment is symbolic: America gives thanks for the past year and opens the door to a new season of wonders. Millions of families watch the parade on television. It is a must-see tradition — without it, the holiday feels incomplete. Some remember their first viewing as children, others dream of seeing it in person one day.
3. 03. Noon: The Kitchen — the Center of the Universe
   After the parade, all life moves to the kitchen. Here, it sizzles, smells amazing, and laughter fills the air. Hosts check whether the turkey — the holiday’s main symbol — is ready. Usually, it is roasted for several hours, becoming a true masterpiece. Every table has its “signature” bird: some stuff it with apples and nuts, others glaze it with honey and spices, and some deep-fry it, as in the southern states.
   Nearby are cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, cornbread, green beans, and, of course, pumpkin pie. These dishes are more than food; they are a language of tradition. Each family has its own recipes, stories, and childhood flavors.
   Children help set the table, decorate it with candles and leaves, and some write notes of gratitude to be read aloud later. Before dinner, the family says a short prayer — not for wealth or success, but simply to be together.
4. 04. Evening: Football, Laughter, and Coziness
   After dinner, rituals that are over a century old take place. American football games are broadcast on TV — another sacred part of the holiday. Even those who don’t understand the rules still watch, simply because it’s part of the collective mood.
   While men argue over tactics, women discuss recipes and Christmas plans, and children shape cookies or fall asleep on the couch. The air smells of cinnamon, roasted pumpkin, and that happiness money cannot buy.
5. 05. Family Traditions Passed Down Through Generations
   Every family brings something unique to Thanksgiving:

• Some create a “gratitude board,” where everyone attaches notes of what they are thankful for;
• Some write letters to loved ones who aren’t present;
• Some go out to serve food to the homeless — because the meaning of the holiday is in sharing kindness.
  Some families skip the TV and take a walk — admiring the November lights, listening to the wind, and watching store windows where Christmas lights are beginning to twinkle.

1. 06. The Night Before the Miracle
   When only pie crumbs remain on the tables and children are asleep, a quiet excitement spreads across the country. At this moment, America prepares for a new tradition — Black Friday.
   Some open their laptops and add items to shopping carts, others plan strategies: which store to enter first, where the biggest discounts are, and some simply laugh — “Yesterday we gave thanks for what we have, and today we go shopping again.” Thus, Thanksgiving ends — with the warm feeling of home, laughter-induced fatigue, and anticipation of crazy shopping.

Thanksgiving is not just about food and the parade. It is the day when 330 million people, all different, remember a simple truth: to be grateful is to be alive.
Whether someone celebrates under the palm trees of Florida or under the snow in Minnesota, the meaning remains the same — on this day, America is united.

Black Friday: When Gratitude Turns into Excitement

If Thanksgiving is the day of the heart, then Black Friday is the day of adrenaline. America barely has time to digest the turkey dinner before it starts living to a different rhythm — the rhythm of discounts, the race, and the thrill of the hunt for bargains.

After warm words of gratitude, cozy family evenings, and the aromas of pie, comes the morning when millions of Americans wake up before dawn. Not to go to work. Not to cook. But to… go hunting — for deals.

Queues appear on the streets again. People line up at shopping mall doors with thermoses of coffee, blankets, and eyes full of excitement. This is no longer just shopping — it is a ritual, a national competition, an annual holiday for shoppers.

1. 01. The History of Black Friday: From Street Chaos to a Global Holiday
   There are several versions of the origin of the term Black Friday.

• Version One — Accounting
  In old accounting books, profits and losses were recorded in different ink colors: red for losses, black for profits. At the end of November, after massive sales, merchants moved into the “black” for the first time that year. Hence the name — the day when business stops losing and starts earning.
• Version Two — Police
  In the 1960s, Philadelphia police used this term. After Thanksgiving, thousands of people flocked to the city — tourists, bargain hunters, and football fans. Chaos reigned on the streets: traffic jams, crushes, petty thefts, exhausted patrols. Police jokingly called this day Black Friday because they had to work nonstop.
• Version Three — Marketing
  Later, entrepreneurs rebranded the term into a catchy name. Thus, “Black Friday” transformed from a police nightmare into a marketing legend and is now arguably the most profitable day of the year for global commerce.

1. 02. The Magic of Discounts: When America Loses Its Mind
   From midnight until late evening, discounts reach up to 90%. TVs, smartphones, clothing, appliances, cars, tours, jewelry — everything becomes more accessible. But it’s not just about price. Black Friday is excitement and atmosphere, when everything around lives by one idea: “Be first.” Here’s what it looks like from the inside:

• Stores open at 5 a.m., and lines form even earlier, in the middle of the night.
• Shoppers divide “territory,” discuss strategies, and sometimes even make friends — after all, they stand together for hours.
• As soon as the doors open, a nearly battle-like roar erupts: shouts, laughter, joy, and shopping carts racing.
• The most desired items disappear within minutes.
  During these hours, the country transforms into a giant anthill brimming with energy. And while some grumble that “it’s all just consumer frenzy,” most Americans see Black Friday as fun, a game, and a way to feel the pulse of life.

1. 03. Black Friday — A Holiday That Went Global
   Once, Black Friday was purely an American phenomenon. Today, it’s a global shopping event.

• Europe and Asia celebrate it just as much as the U.S.
• Online platforms like Amazon, eBay, and BestBuy host marathon sales lasting weeks.
• In Russia, Canada, Australia — their own versions of sales exist, sometimes with local flavor.
  Moreover, Black Friday has created a new consumer culture: people prepare in advance, study catalogs, save money, make wish lists. It is no longer chaotic hunting but a strategy — the art of shopping smart.

1. 04. The Psychology of Black Friday
   Why does this day create such excitement and frenzy? Psychologists call it the “dopamine day.” It’s simple: the brain reacts to a discount like a reward. Even if the item isn’t truly needed, the thought of “winning” it at a lower price brings pleasure.
   Additionally, Black Friday brings people together. Yes, in line at a store, you might meet complete strangers, but you are all “in the same boat.” You wait for the doors to open, share stories, compare prices, and… laugh. In that moment, America becomes friendly, lively, and human again.

To prevent shopping from becoming stressful, Americans have survival rules:

• Make a list in advance — otherwise, you’ll buy everything indiscriminately.
• Leave early, but don’t skip meals — a marathon awaits.
• Set a spending limit — excitement is high, but your wallet isn’t bottomless.
• Compare online and in-store prices — sometimes the internet is cheaper.
• Plan your route — if you want to visit multiple malls.

For travelers, Black Friday is a whole type of adventure. Imagine being in New York, on Fifth Avenue, in the drizzle, latte in hand, surrounded by thousands of people rushing from window to window. Christmas music plays on the streets, store displays sparkle, and it feels like the whole world is smiling.

In the evening — dinner in a cozy café, shopping bags at your feet, and that feeling: “Yes, I was part of this madness — and I loved it.”

If Thanksgiving is about warmth, Black Friday is about movement. It is the day when America returns to the streets, signs light up, malls come alive, and everything pulses with rhythm.

Black Friday is not about greed. It is about life, allowing yourself a little thrill, delighting loved ones, and feeling the joy of the moment.

A Traveler’s Perspective: How to Experience Thanksgiving with Your Own Eyes

Some journeys change the way you perceive a country. You can see the Grand Canyon, stroll along Broadway, visit the Universal Studios — and all of it is impressive.
But if you want to experience America not as a tourist, but as a participant in its history, it’s worth going there in late November.

This is the time when the country reveals its soul: the air smells of cinnamon and roasted nuts, jazz fills the streets, shop windows sparkle with lights, and even the crisp wind seems to carry the scent of celebration. America is preparing to give thanks — and you can feel it in every café, at every intersection, in every glance.

1. 01. Macy’s Parade in New York — the Heart of the Holiday
   If you’ve seen scenes from American movies, you surely remember the giant balloons shaped like cartoon characters, the orchestras, and the dancers filling the streets of Manhattan. This is the legendary Macy’s Parade, held in New York since 1924, and an integral part of Thanksgiving.
   Thousands line the streets to watch floats with performers, marching bands, and balloons as tall as ten-story buildings move from Central Park to Herald Square. The festive atmosphere is so contagious that even skeptics smile. If you’re planning a trip, it’s best to secure a spot early in the morning — the parade starts around 9 a.m. And yes, bring a hot coffee and a scarf: New York at this time of year is invigorating.
2. 02. Thanksgiving Dinner — Feel the Warmth of American Homes
   Watching the parade is one thing, but sharing a meal with an American family is another. For locals, it’s not just food, it’s a ritual. Sitting at such a table allows you to truly understand what Thanksgiving is.
   In some cities, hospitality programs exist, where families invite foreigners for dinner. This is not a commercial show, but a genuine friendly gathering.
   You taste classic dishes — roast turkey with cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes with marshmallows, pecan pie — and feel like you are “home,” not a guest. Americans love sharing stories: how grandpa cooked the first turkey, how someone once forgot to turn on the oven, how a neighbor dropped by “for a minute” and stayed until morning. This evening gives you something money can’t buy — the feeling of real America.
3. 03. Christmas Markets: The Magic Begins Immediately After
   As soon as the calendar flips from Thursday to Friday, America is already in Christmas mode. Trees light up in squares, carols are sung, and Christmas markets open, filled with the scents of cinnamon, ginger, and hot chocolate. The most atmospheric markets include:

• Bryant Park Winter Village (New York)
  Ice rink, hundreds of stalls, garlands — it feels like stepping into a Christmas card.
• Chicago Christkindlmarket
  A German-style market with gingerbread, mulled wine, and street orchestras.
• Union Square Holiday Market (San Francisco)
  A mix of Californian sunshine and winter magic.
  It’s a time when everything is filled with warmth. People smile, children run with candy, and the city seems brighter.

1. 04. Shopping Tour: Experience the Thrill of Black Friday
   If you visit the U.S. in late November, you can’t miss Black Friday. For tourists, it’s a separate adventure: discounts reach 70–80%, and this is no marketing trick — it’s reality. The best cities for shopping include:

• New York
  Fifth Avenue, Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, Century 21.
• Los Angeles
  The Grove, Beverly Center, outdoor outlets.
• Miami
  A paradise for brand lovers and beach enthusiasts.
• Chicago
  Outlet chains and stores with fantastic discounts.
• Las Vegas
  The city of lights, where even shopping turns into a show.

1. 05. America in November — A Special Mood
   Late autumn in the U.S. is not a dull season, but an invitation to warmth and light. Trees in Boston still hold the last golden leaves, in Chicago the scent of snow is in the air, and in California the sun is still gentle. Travelers see the country in its most sincere state: without tourist hustle, but filled with a festive atmosphere, hope, and the anticipation of miracles. It feels like stepping into a Christmas movie scene, where anything is possible.

Thanksgiving and Black Friday are more than just dates. They are a chance to see America as it is not shown on TV — warm, human, and emotional.
When the streets smell of pies and coffee, when people hurry home, when gratitude can be read in every glance — that’s when you truly understand why this country is loved.

And if you want not just to see the U.S., but to feel it with your heart, go there in November. Because during these days, America lives with a special sincerity — and invites you to become part of it.

The American Philosophy of Two Days: Gratitude and the Joy of Life

Looking at the U.S. calendar in late November, it feels as if the country exists in two parallel worlds. First — warm, calm, almost sacred: Thanksgiving, when streets empty, families gather around the table, and homes fill with the aromas of turkey and pies.
And just a few hours later — dynamic, noisy, and bustling: Black Friday, when stores come alive, windows shine with discounts, and shoppers rush with excitement to grab the best deals.

And all of this happens almost simultaneously — within one long weekend.

1. 01. Thanksgiving: the Heart and Soul of America
   This day is not just a celebration of food. It is a moment when people reflect on what they are grateful for, what they value, and which moments have made their lives meaningful. Families share stories, children help set the table, adults look at each other with warmth. Even those previously too busy pause to say a simple “thank you.” Every detail matters:

• The scent of cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie;
• The glow of candlelight reflecting in the eyes of loved ones;
• The laughter of children and conversations about small joys we often overlook in daily life.
  Thanksgiving is a pause, an opportunity to stop and feel the moment, appreciate what we have, and remember the values that truly matter.

1. 02. Black Friday: Energy and Excitement
   But just a few hours later, America wakes up to a completely different rhythm. Instead of quiet warmth — excitement, bright lights, dynamism, and thrill. Stores open, lines form, discounts beckon from every direction. People become strategists, planning shopping routes, scanning catalogs, and seizing the moments to buy what they want at a lower price.
   On Black Friday, there’s no time for pauses. Everything moves fast: lights, sounds, crowds. Yet even in this chaos, there is beauty. After all, the celebration of consumption is a celebration of life — a chance to indulge in joy, feel the thrill, and savor the victory over sales prices.
2. 03. The Harmony of Contrasts
   At first glance, these two days may seem opposite. But in reality, they complement each other.

• Thanksgiving teaches us to appreciate what we have;
• Black Friday shows that gratitude doesn’t prevent us from enjoying life, having fun, and indulging in little pleasures.
  This philosophy reflects the American outlook on life: first — meaning and values, then — energy and joy. It is this contrast that makes November holidays in the U.S. unique. These are not just days for food or shopping. They are lessons in balance: you can be grateful and simultaneously allow yourself joy, excitement, and fun.

Only by experiencing these two days on American soil can one truly understand their philosophy:

• How people gather around the table and share warmth;
• How, just a few hours later, streets come alive and stores turn into a vibrant carnival;
• How the spirit of gratitude smoothly transitions into joy and motion, creating a unique atmosphere of unity and celebration.

This is the true magic of late November in the U.S. — the harmony of two opposites, two rhythms, two sides of human nature: gratitude and the joy of life.

Behind the Scenes of November Madness: 15 Facts You Didn’t Know

We all know the classic image: a family around the table with a turkey, and the next morning — crowds of people at store doors. But behind this façade lie amazing stories and unexpected twists. It’s time to look at the main American weekend from a different perspective.

1. 01. A turkey “pardoned” by… a Soviet marshal?
   The tradition of “turkey pardoning” at the White House seems like a classic American custom. In reality, it became an annual ritual only under George H. W. Bush in 1989. One of the earliest documented cases of a “pardon” is actually linked to the Cold War: in 1963, President Kennedy joked by sparing a turkey labeled “COLD TURKEY FOR KHRUSHCHEV,” hinting at a political “cooling off.”
2. 02. Frozen peas instead of snow at the Macy's Parade
   The famous New York Macy’s Parade is known for its giant inflatable figures. But in the earliest parades (1924–1926), these “balloons” were not inflatable — they were rubber figures filled with air that were impossible to control. After the parade, they were simply released into the sky, and anyone who found a “runaway” character was promised a cash prize. This practice was abandoned due to aviation hazards. Up until the 1950s, to create the effect of snow in the parade, organizers used… soap flakes and even frozen peas!
3. 03. “Wake-up cocktail” and other strange traditions
   In Plymouth, Massachusetts, where, according to legend, the Pilgrims landed, an unusual event called the “Morning Wake-Up Cocktail” takes place. Exactly at 6:00 a.m. on Thanksgiving, a local historian raises a toast at the monument to the ancestors… with a glass of cold water. It’s a symbolic gesture honoring the harsh conditions endured by the first settlers.
4. 04. “Alcatraz Takeover” — a forgotten Thanksgiving protest
   Twenty years before the famous Alcatraz occupation by Native American activists in 1969, a group of 40 Sioux Native Americans “occupied” the island on Thanksgiving in 1948. They demanded a cultural center be opened on the island. Although they were quickly removed, this almost forgotten action became an important precedent in the fight for Native American rights, challenging the very narrative of the holiday.
5. 05. Turkey wasn’t the main dish at the first Thanksgiving?
   Although turkey is the symbol of the holiday, the 1621 historical menus primarily mention venison (provided by the Wampanoag) and wild geese. Turkey may have been present, but only as one of many dishes. Cranberry sauce and mashed potatoes were definitely absent — the Pilgrims didn’t have sugar for the sauce nor the habit of growing potatoes.
6. 06. “Turkey syndrome” — an annual epidemic
   Every Thanksgiving, American hospitals record a spike in very specific injuries. This is the so-called “turkey syndrome”: people attempting to thaw a giant bird in boiling oil or a microwave, resulting in explosions, oil spills, and severe burns. It happens so often that the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) even issues annual safety reminders for cooking turkeys.
7. 07. The first Black Friday victim was in 1983
   Long before modern crowd incidents, the first recorded death directly related to shopping frenzy occurred in 1983 in Wilmington, Delaware. A warehouse worker was trampled to death by a crowd of 5,000 rushing into a store for ColecoVision game consoles. This tragic event prompted retailers to seriously consider safety measures for the first time.
8. 08. “Teletubbies” vs. Black Friday
   In 2011, activists from the “Occupy Wall Street” movement staged one of the most creative anti-consumerism protests. They organized the “Tootsie Crawl” — crawling races in shopping malls, with participants dressed as Teletubbies, slowly crawling through stores while singing “Tootsie, goodbye!” The protest paralyzed several stores.
9. 09. “Vice Turkey” for the President
   Every turkey presented to the president for a pardon has a double — the “Vice Turkey”. It is kept ready in case the main bird behaves inappropriately (panics or shows aggression) or suddenly falls ill. The Vice Turkey accompanies the pardoned bird at official events but remains in its shadow.
10. 10. Cyber Monday invented because of slow internet
    The term “Cyber Monday” was introduced in 2005, and the reason is quite simple. In the mid-2000s, not everyone had high-speed internet. Marketers assumed that people who couldn’t shop in stores on Black Friday would return to work on Monday, where they had faster internet access, and make online purchases. Thus, a new shopping day was born, now rivaling Black Friday in popularity.
11. 11. Turkey in space: the most unusual Thanksgiving meal
    In 1968, astronauts of the Apollo 8 mission — the first humans to orbit the Moon — celebrated Thanksgiving in Earth orbit. Their festive meal was… vacuum-packed turkey, heated with a special warming gun. This was the first Thanksgiving celebrated off the planet. Captain Frank Borman even broadcasted live, joking: “We don’t know who cooked it, but it’s here.”
12. 12. Truly giant turkey
    The average American family cooks a turkey weighing around 5–7 kg, but the record belongs to a 45 kg bird served at a Thanksgiving table in Minnesota in 2001.
13. 13. The most expensive turkey leg in the world
    In 1986, the famous auction house Sotheby's held a charity auction featuring a gilded turkey frame from President Calvin Coolidge’s Thanksgiving (1927). The winning bid was $10,200, which with inflation equals over $25,000 today. The frame still travels through private collections as the world’s most expensive holiday symbol.
14. 14. Underground business: illegal coupon trade in the 1950s
    Before the internet era, there was a whole underground system of trading discount coupons. In 1950s Chicago, a gang dubbed “Grateful Counterfeiters” by the police forged turkey coupons (which gave a 25% discount on birds over 10 lbs) and sold them at triple price. They were caught after three years when one fraudster tried to use a fake coupon in a store under police raid.
15. 15. “Cold Turkey” for the CIA: how a bird became a spying tool
    At the height of the Cold War, in 1971, the CIA conducted operation “Grateful Owl”. Agents posing as traders sent 500 cans of turkey to the USSR, with microphones hidden in the tin bottoms. The plan failed — Soviet customs simply distributed the cans to factory workers, and the “surveillance” ended up in a cafeteria in Gorky. Interestingly, one of the cans is still kept in the KGB museum in Moscow as a Cold War curiosity.

These stories are like time capsules: they preserve the spirit of their eras with quirky mistakes, brilliant failures, and the eternal struggle between ambition and reality. But are we sure we’ve uncovered all the secrets? Most likely, new discoveries await us.

Thanksgiving and Black Friday with American Butler

Visiting the USA in late November means seeing the country at its most genuine. No pretense, no showy glitz, just millions of smiles, the scent of cinnamon, twinkling store lights, and the feeling that you are part of something bigger.

America at this time is more than just a place on the map. It’s an emotion. It’s gratitude turned into a way of life. Thanksgiving and Black Friday — two faces of the same country. One is about warmth, home, and family; the other about energy, deals, and excitement. Together, they create a unique atmosphere that makes traveling across the ocean at least once absolutely worthwhile.

If you dream of experiencing the real America, feeling the spirit of the holidays, tasting turkey, and diving into the whirlwind of discounts, the American Butler team will craft a personalized journey designed down to the smallest detail.

We organize flights, accommodations, excursions, routes, guides, and shopping tours — so you can simply enjoy every moment.

Experience America the way Americans see it themselves. With American Butler, it’s effortless.