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Britain (yes, Britain) celebrates Thanksgiving

The large American presence, particularly in London, has led to interest in the holiday.

By Ed Adamczyk

LONDON , Nov. 27 (UPI) -- The all-American celebration of Thanksgiving Day has spread to Britain, which has begun to embrace the traditional turkey dinner, cranberries and the rest.

The holiday, in the United States, was decreed by Abraham Lincoln and has not traveled to other countries well, but British restaurants now offer Thanksgiving feasts with turkey and pumpkin pie. It is still a work day, though.

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London, in particular, has seen an interest in Americana; American hamburgers, cars and accents are currently trendy, especially in Kensington and Chelsea, upscale London neighborhoods where Americans make up five percent of the population. Britain's latest census report showed 200,000 residents who were born in the United States.

Whole Foods, a Texas-based food retailer, has put signs outside its London locations reading "We are here to make your Thanksgiving epic," and stores of the British grocery chain Waitrose have displays reading "Happy Thanksgiving," featuring artwork of traditional pumpkins and pilgrim hats.

While many countries have a day reserved of giving thanks, the trappings of an American Thanksgiving have tended to stay within the United States. Britain actually has, since 1843, a "Harvest Festival" day in September with a similar theme, including the decorating of churches, "corn dolls" symbolizing fertility and a celebratory dinner. It remains popular only in rural areas, though.

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