Thanksgiving is an important holiday for families across America. We love to gather for a feast of turkey and all of the fixings. Anyone who ever went to a kids school program knows Thanksgiving is about turkey and pilgrims, but there are likely questions about the first Thanksgiving feast that still linger in people's minds.
In 1521, Spanish conquistador Juan Ponce de León sailed his ship up the southwest coast of what is now Florida. He was looking to start a settlement and find riches. However, it wasn't until the Pilgrims arrived aboard the Mayflower in 1620 that the true origins of Thanksgiving began to take shape.
The first Thanksgiving feast is believed to have taken place in 1621, when the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Native Americans came together to celebrate the successful harvest. It was a three-day celebration of unity, gratitude, and friendship.
The exact duration of the first Thanksgiving feast is often debated among historians. While some accounts suggest it lasted for just one day, others claim it extended to three days. The three-day celebration seems more plausible considering the amount of preparation that went into the feast and the desire to foster a stronger bond between the Pilgrims and the Native Americans.
The meal at the first Thanksgiving feast was likely quite different from what we have today. Alongside the roasted turkey, the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag likely enjoyed dishes such as venison, fish, corn, beans, and various types of vegetables. The feast was a culmination of the bountiful harvest and the sharing of resources between the two communities.
It wasn't until President Abraham Lincoln's proclamation in 1863 that Thanksgiving became a national holiday. Lincoln declared the last Thursday in November as a day of thanks, aiming to foster unity and healing during the Civil War. This tradition has continued to this day, with Thanksgiving being a cherished holiday that brings families and friends together.
The history of Thanksgiving has been muddled, debunked, and rewritten throughout history, but the essence of the holiday remains the same – a time to come together, express gratitude, and share a bountiful meal. Turkey, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie have become iconic symbols of Thanksgiving, reflecting the traditions and values passed down through generations.
In conclusion, the first Thanksgiving feast lasted for three days, serving as a symbol of unity, gratitude, and friendship between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Native Americans. This historic celebration laid the foundation for the cherished holiday we celebrate today.
