The Devious Demons Do Thanksgiving Quiz

Answer: Druids

Druids were first referenced in writings as early as the 4th century BC, which described them as high- ranking Celtic cultural leaders in religion, medicine and law keeping. Whilst there are no written details of Druids as recorded by themselves, their practices are outlined in early Greek and Roman documents, including those written by Cicero and Pliny the Elder.

Julius Caesar later wrote that they were an important social group in the region, responsible for organizing worship and judicial procedure in Gaul, in addition to the foundations of British and Irish culture.

Druids are known to have been regularly involved with human sacrifice. Whilst preference was for known criminals to be the victims in such rituals, if there was no such person available innocent people would instead be sacrificed.

In modern times, Druids assemble each year at Stonehenge to celebrate the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. Thousands of people travel to the ancient site to witness the ceremony which culminates with the rising of the sun.

Stonehenge itself is thought to have been erected c. 2500 BC, when the stones were carefully designed to coordinate the movements of the sun.

I myself attended one such gathering many years ago whilst still at school, and remember then setting off to school having been without sleep. Would I do it again? Probably not!

Question by moonraker2.

Answer: Ferragosto

The name Ferragosto for the holiday celebrated on 15 August comes from the Latin "feria Augusti", meaning "Augustus' holiday". In 18 BC, Rome's first emperor established the holiday (which was celebrated on 1 August) to allow farm labourers to enjoy a day of rest after weeks of hard work in the fields. This and other summer festivities honoured Roman deities of fertility and the earth - in particular Consus, god of the harvest. It was customary for workers to give good wishes to their employers, and be granted a small sum of money in return. Horse races - some of which (like the Palio di Siena, which takes place on 2 July and 16 August of every year) have survived into our modern times - were also organized to celebrate the day.

In the 7th century AD, the holiday was moved to 15 August by the Catholic Church so that it would coincide with the commemoration of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. During Fascist rule, Ferragosto became identified with trips out of town - facilitated by the availability of special trains at low prices. In contemporary Italy, it is the time of the year when businesses close for a few days, and people head to beaches, mountains and other places of leisure.

Question by LadyNym.

Answer: Germany

Germany's Erntedankfest, meaning "Harvest Thanksgiving Festival," is celebrated in late September or early October. Unlike the U.S. Thanksgiving, which is centered around a specific historical event, Erntedankfest is more focused on gratitude for the harvest and the blessings of the year. The day often begins with a church service where fruits, vegetables, and grains are presented as offerings.

In smaller towns and villages, vibrant parades featuring traditional costumes, music, and elaborately decorated harvest crowns (made of wheat) are a highlight. While turkey isn't the centerpiece, feasts include delicious seasonal dishes like pumpkin soup, fresh bread, and locally grown produce.

In some areas of Germany, the holiday concludes with the smashing of harvest wreaths and dancing. It's a mix of solemn gratitude and lively celebration-proof that giving thanks doesn't always have to involve football and pumpkin pie!

Question by Tarkowski.

Answer: Sukkot

Sukkot is the plural form of the Hebrew word "sukkah", usually translated as "booth" or "tabernacle". The holiday, also called Harvest Festival in the Torah, falls at the end of the agricultural year in the Holy Land; another of its names, Festival of Ingathering, refers to its nature of community festival to which everyone is welcome. Sukkot begins on the 15th day of the Jewish month of Tishrei (September-October in the Gregorian calendar), and lasts for seven days: on the first and last day of the festival, as on the Shabbat, it is forbidden to work.

A number of distinctive practices are associated with Sukkot. The booths the holiday is named for are temporary huts topped with branches that commemorate the time the Israelites spent in the wilderness after leaving Egypt. People have meals and sometimes also sleep in these structures, especially in favourable weather conditions. Another essential component of Sukkot celebrations are the "four species", plants mentioned in the Torah that are waved during the processions taking place on each day of the festival. Fronds of date palm, myrtle and willow are tied together in a bundle and held in one hand, while a citron is held in the other hand.

Question by LadyNym.

Answer: It is Samhain

Samhain, pronounced "sow win", is an ancient Druidic/Pagan celebration held on 31 October to (especially) remember the dead. It is still observed and celebrated by practicing Wiccans, among others. Samhain, the rock band, was formed by Glenn Danzig shortly after he left The Misfits. Spooky!

Question by woodychandler.

Answer: cranberry

Cranberries are grown in bogs. Most of them come from the United States, Canada and Chile. They are usually made into cranberry relish or jellied cranberry sauce (my favorite) when served with Thanksgiving dinner. A wonderful day-after-Thanksgiving treat is a turkey sandwich with cranberry sauce as the spread on the bread.

Question by debbitts.

Answer: Judy Davis

In Woody Allen's multiple award-winning movie, Hannah is portrayed by Mia Farrow (then in a relationship with the actor/director), while her sisters are portrayed by Dianne Wiest and Barbara Hershey. The Thanksgiving parties hosted by Hannah and her husband Elliot (Michael Caine) are held at The Langham, a luxury apartment building in Manhattan's Upper West Side. Dianne Wiest won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for the role of Holly, while Caine won Best Supporting Actor.

Question by urbankheki.

Answer: John Madden

Madden was a big fan of turducken since he first sampled it at the Rams-Saints game at the Super Dome in 1996. He immediately included it at Thanksgiving games and awarded his first "Turkey Leg Award" to the best player from the game, a tradition which continued throughout the years. After Emmitt Smith commented that he wished he had a six-legged turkey so the Cowboys linemen could "get in on the action" too Joe Pat Fieseler, a barbecue owner in Texas, invented a six-legged turkey!

Question by sally0malley.

Answer: Japan

In Japan, Kinrō Kansha no Hi (Labor Thanksgiving Day) is observed on November 23. While the day is rooted in ancient harvest festivals like Niinamesai - a Shinto ceremony offering rice to deities - it has evolved to honor both the harvest and workers' contributions.

The modern version of this holiday emerged after World War II, blending traditional agricultural gratitude with a focus on labor rights and democracy. It's celebrated by thanking workers, hosting community events, and organizing activities for children to express their appreciation to civil servants, teachers, and others.

Japanese schoolchildren often write and deliver thank-you cards to local police officers, healthcare workers, and firefighters as part of the celebration, adding a uniquely heartwarming touch to the holiday.

Question by Tarkowski.

Answer: whalers

Norfolk Island was established as a penal colony in 1788, run from Australia but under the control of the British. This lovely little island is some 1416 km/880 mi off the east coast of Australia, so the prisoners couldn't escape even if they tried. Today many descendants of the original Bounty mutiny live on Norfolk, which was handed over to Australia in 1914. Some time in the 1890s, an American trader decided to put on a Thanksgiving get-together on the island in order to attract American whalers to the island. It worked, and the Thanksgiving tradition continues there still today. One presumes whale isn't on the menu.

Question and II by Creedy.