CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Thanksgiving is almost here, and the late holiday isn't giving much of a buffer for the last month of the year. Thanksgiving will be celebrated on Nov. 28 this year, marking the last holiday before December and the winter festivities.
But why is Thanksgiving so late this year? Let's connect the dots.
Since 1942, Thanksgiving has fallen on the fourth Thursday of November, which can vary from having four to five Thursdays depending on the year.
It has happened only 11 times since 1942.
In fact, Nov. 27 and Nov. 28 are the least common dates for the holiday, while Nov. 22 to Nov. 26 have been celebrated more frequently.
Before 1942, the date could range from Nov. 20 to Nov. 30, but President Franklin D. Roosevelt moved Thanksgiving to promote the holiday shopping season.
Still, a late Thanksgiving can present its own challenges, like fewer days between family gatherings and increased travel expenses, making the transition to December feel abrupt.