When I was in elementary school, I was taught that the first Thanksgiving was a festive feast in celebration of the friendship between the Pilgrims and the Native American Wampanoag tribe. Most Americans who celebrate Thanksgiving—about 9 in 10, according to a 2021 poll—eat turkey with their holiday meal, perhaps alongside traditional side dishes like mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and stuffing. However, the history and origins of this beloved holiday go beyond the familiar imagery of a bountiful feast.
Thanksgiving, as we know it today, has evolved over centuries. It is believed that the first Thanksgiving took place in 1621 at Plymouth Colony, but historians and archaeologists at the Florida Museum of Natural History suggest that it wasn't the first gathering of its kind. The Wampanoag people had a long-standing tradition of celebrating the harvest season, and the Pilgrims likely adopted and adapted this custom.
The Pilgrims, who were English Separatists seeking religious freedom, arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1620. After a difficult first winter, they formed alliances with the Wampanoag tribe, who taught them essential survival skills and helped them cultivate the land. In the fall of 1621, the Pilgrims held a feast to express gratitude for a successful harvest and to strengthen their newfound friendship with the Wampanoag people.
Pie, a Thanksgiving staple, wasn't served at the first Thanksgiving, and it probably didn't become a common feature until another 300 years later. Instead, the first feast likely consisted of venison, wild turkey, fish, shellfish, corn, and other local produce. The meal was prepared using traditional Native American cooking methods and recipes, showcasing the blending of cultures.
Despite the historical significance of the 1621 feast, Thanksgiving didn't become a national holiday until much later. It wasn't until 1863, in the midst of the American Civil War, that President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of "Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens." Lincoln's proclamation aimed to foster unity and gratitude during a time of great division and strife.
The cultural evolution of Thanksgiving continued throughout the 20th century. In 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt moved the holiday up a week to extend the Christmas shopping season. This decision faced opposition and confusion, leading to a compromise in 1941 when Congress officially declared Thanksgiving to be celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November.
Today, Thanksgiving is not only a time for feasting and expressing gratitude but also a major travel holiday. Thanksgiving 2023 is projected to be the third-highest travel forecast since AAA began reporting such numbers in 2000. Millions of Americans gather with their loved ones, often traveling long distances to be together.
As we reflect on the first Thanksgiving and the evolution of this cherished holiday, it is important to recognize the contributions and cultural exchange between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag tribe. The first feast symbolized the power of forging friendships across cultural divides, a message that remains relevant in our modern, interconnected world.
