History of Thanksgiving

Modern Thanksgiving has its direct origins in American history. In 1609, a group of
Puritans fleeing religious persecution in England moved to Holland. They lived in
Holland for a number of years until a group of English investors -- the Merchant
Adventurers -- financed a trip for more than 100 passengers to the New World.
The history of Thanksgiving can
be traced back to October of
1621. Learn about the history of
Thanksgiving and find out why
the
Pilgrims
celebrated
Thanksgiving.
On Sept. 6, 1620, they set sail
on a ship called the Mayflower,
leaving
from
England
and
arriving in the New World after
65 days. They settled in a town
called Plymouth in what is now
Massachusetts. The Pilgrims' first
winter was so harsh that fewer than 50 of the group survived the season.
On March 16, 1621, an Abnaki Indian named Samoset entered the Plymouth
settlement. He welcomed the Pilgrims in English, and the next day returned with
another American Indian named Squanto, who spoke English well. With Squanto's
help, the Pilgrims were able to survive in the New World. He taught them how to get
sap out of the maple trees, how to avoid plants that were poisonous and how to
plant corn and other crops.
The harvest was very successful, due in large part to help from the American
Indians. The Pilgrims had enough food for the winter and had learned how to survive
in the New World. Plymouth Colony's Governor, William Bradford, decided to throw a
celebratory feast and invited the colony's American Indian neighbors to take part.
The American Indians brought food as well, and the celebration lasted for three
days.
Historians believe that this celebration took place sometime in the fall. And
although there are very few clues to reconstruct the feast, some scholars believe
that food items, like venison and fish, were the main sources of protein, rather than
turkey. It's also thought that the food preparation would have been greatly
influenced by American Indian traditions since the Puritans had been instructed by
American Indians on how to cultivate and cook items [source: Bergland].
Many view the first Thanksgiving as an example of the possibility of great respect
and cooperation between two different cultures. But others see it as a symbol of the
colonists' eventual persecution of the American Indians. Sadly, the friendly spirit of
the first Thanksgiving and the 50-year period of peace that followed is one
exception in a long history of bloodshed between Native American tribes and
European settlers.
In 1970, some American Indians began observing a Day of Mourning on
Thanksgiving Day to remember the violence and discrimination suffered by their

ancestors. The Day of Mourning is observed by gathering at the top of "Coles Hill,"
which overlooks Plymouth Rock.

Vocabulary
to commemorate

V. to be in memory of; to celebrate or mark a special event in history

controversy

N. much argument or debate

to cooperate

V. to work together

a dish

N. a particular food served during a meal

edible

Adj. able to be eaten

a feast

N. a huge meal in celebration of something

a legend

N. a traditional story passed from generation to generation

to live off

V. to survive from a particular source

persecution

N. being treated cruelly because of one's political or religious beliefs

a pilgrim

N. a person who travels a long way for religious purposes

Vocabulary in Conversation
Nadia: Why do Americans celebrate Thanksgiving?
Sarah: As children, we learn that Thanksgiving is a holiday of _________________ and
survival. We read stories of how the _________________ left England because of religious
_________________ and came to the New World in search of a place where they could live
peacefully and practice their religion. They arrived in a place called Plymouth Rock and
established a settlement there. At first they had many problems. They weren't able
_________________ the land here because everything was so new to them. They didn't know
how to hunt the animals, and they didn't know which plants were _________________. We
learn that the Wampanoag Indians taught them how to survive and feed themselves. Out of
gratitude, the English colonists invited the Indians to a huge _________________ to thank them
for their help.
Nadia: Do you think the stories are true?
Sarah: Well, I think there is probably some truth to them, but they have probably been a little
simplified. I am sure the arrival at Plymouth Rock was far more complicated and confused than
our _________________ suggest. In recent years, there has been some _________________
over certain holidays such as Thanksgiving and Columbus Day. It has been suggested that our
memories of the past might have been cleaned up a little to make us feel better about our
history.
Nadia: Well, at least it is a nice story. I like the idea of a holiday which _________________ the
colonists and the Indians working together... even if it isn't totally based in fact.
Sarah: I do too. And it's also great to have a holiday where you take the time to get together
with your family and make traditional foods like roast turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes,
cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie.

Nadia: I have never had any of those _________________.

Sarah: Well then why don't you spend Thanksgiving with us. My grandmother makes the best
pumpkin pie in the country.
Nadia: Sounds great!

Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving Day is the fourth Thursday in November. It is a federal holiday, so schools, banks, post
offices, and government offices are closed. Thanksgiving was the first holiday celebrated in America. It
was first celebrated in the autumn of 1621 when the Wampanoag Indians and the pilgrims got together for
a three-day feast and festival of fun. Today, families celebrate Thanksgiving by eating turkey, stuffing,
mashed potatoes and gravy, yams, corn, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. Macy's Thanksgiving Day
Parade and an NFL football game are special Thanksgiving Day events. In 2009, Thanksgiving will be on
Thursday, November 26.
What is Thanksgiving?
It is a federal holiday that is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November.
The first Thanksgiving was in 1621 when the pilgrims invited the Indians to a
three-day feast to celebrate the autumn harvest.
Who were the pilgrims?
The pilgrims were a small group of people who sailed to North America in
order to start a new life.
They sailed on the Mayflower ship and landed on Plymouth Rock.
They wanted religious freedom.

Thanksgiving Traditions
Part 1: The History of Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is one of the most popular holidays in the United States of
America. Traditionally, Thanksgiving is a holiday that Americans spend
together with their families who enjoy a Thanksgiving meal which usually
includes the traditional Thanksgiving turkey.