Sure, we all know that Thanksgiving- the blessed holiday we’re celebrating today – is an annual excuse to eat ourselves into oblivion, watch football, argue with the fam, and drink a boatload of beer.

But there are also a handful of things you might not know about Thanksgiving, like that groups of Native Americans actually celebrate Un-Thanksgiving Day each year at Alcatraz.

Here are a few lesser-known facts we’ve compiled to help keep the day in perspective.

Enjoy, and pass the Christmas Ale.


This article appears in Nov 26 – Dec 2, 2014.

Alaina Nutile is the Web Editor who oversees all digital content and social media initiatives for Cleveland Scene Magazine and Detroit Metro Times. Before joining the staff in June 2013, she interned at Business Insider in New York City, and at La Hora in Quito, Ecuador. Alaina is a graduate of Kalamazoo College in Michigan, where she double majored in English and Spanish. Her interests include Japanese food, Breaking Bad, and career development advising.