In the early 1600s, Europe was consumed by major religious conflict. England under the reign of King James I was a strongly Protestant nation, but many people including a group of religious separatists known as the Puritans felt the Church of England had not gone far enough in distancing itself from Catholic practices. Among these separatists were the Pilgrims, a group of devout English Puritans who sought to create a community where they could worship freely without persecution. Hoping for religious freedom the Pilgrims fled to the Netherlands in 1608. However, they found that living in a foreign country led to other difficulties, including economic struggles and cultural differences. In 1660 a decade later they made a bold decision to cross the Atlantic Ocean and establish a colony in the New World. On September 1620, the Pilgrims set sail from Plymouth England aboard the Mayflower. The ship carried a total of 102 passengers, including men, women, and children. They traveled through storms and rough seas, and it took two months to reach the shore of North America. They originally intended to settle near the Hudson River in what is now New York, but due to navigational errors, they landed instead in Plymouth, Massachusetts, in December 1620 .

The unplanned landing was far from ideal. The pilgrims had not planned to settle in such a harsh cold environment and they were unprepared for the challenges that lay ahead. The New World was also inhabited by Native American tribes with whom they would soon interact. As the Pilgrims struggled to survive they encountered the Wampanoag people a Native American tribe led by Chief Massasoit. Though the Pilgrims initially feared the unknown, the Wampanoag offered assistance. In March 1621, Squanto, a member of the Wampanoag who had previously been kidnapped and taught English, helped the Pilgrims learn essential farming techniques such as how to plant corn, fish, and hunt local game. The holiday originated as a harvest festival that was celebrated by the pilgrims and the Wampanoag Native Americans in 1621. The festivities took place in Massachusetts, which was a time for settlers and native Americans to give thanks for the bounty they had received. The Thanksgiving feast lasted three days and included turkey, corn, and venison. They killed five deer three days before Thanksgiving and enjoyed it on Thanksgiving day. The corn was likely dried and ground into cornmeal, which was then boiled and mashed into a thick mush. This is very different from today’s tradition.

Over time, Thanksgiving evolved into a national holiday in the United States which is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November. This is where family and friends gather to share a meal and express appreciation for their blessings.

Happy Thanksgiving!