The Real Story Behind Thanksgiving

From Pilgrims to Pumpkin Pie.

Finding ways to honor the spirit of gratitude that Thanksgiving represents.

Thanksgiving is a time when families gather, turkeys are roasted, and gratitude is shared.

The history behind this holiday is more complex than many of us learned.

The story most of us know is this: In 1621, the Pilgrims and Native Americans sat down for a friendly feast to celebrate a successful harvest. The truth is a bit different.

The Pilgrims, a group of English Separatists, arrived in what’s now Massachusetts in 1620 aboard the Mayflower. They were unprepared for the harsh winter and struggled to survive. Many died from disease and starvation.

The following spring, the Wampanoag people, led by Ousamequin (also known as Massasoit), helped the Pilgrims learn to farm. This included teaching them how to grow corn, beans, and squash.

In the fall of 1621, after a successful harvest, the Pilgrims held a three-day celebration. This is the “First Thanksgiving.” It wasn’t called that at the time, and it wasn’t an annual event.

50 Pilgrims attended, along with 90 men from the Wampanoag tribe. They ate venison, fish, lobster, clams, berries, fruit, pumpkin, and squash. Turkey may have been on the menu, but it wasn’t the star of the show.

The relationship between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag was complex. They formed an alliance, but it was born out of necessity rather than friendship. The peace between them lasted only a generation before conflicts arose.

Some ways people are addressing these concerns include:

Land Acknowledgments: Some hosts are incorporating land acknowledgments into their Thanksgiving gatherings, recognizing indigenous peoples.

Education: Many make efforts to share the history of Thanksgiving

Supporting Indigenous Causes: People make donations to Native American organizations.

Renaming the Holiday: Some communities are choosing to rebranding the day as a day of gratitude.

Thanksgiving didn’t become an annual celebration right away. It took more than 200 years to become a national holiday.

Different colonies had their own Thanksgiving celebrations at various times. In 1789, George Washington issued a proclamation for a day of thanksgiving, but it didn’t stick as an annual event.

It wasn’t until 1863, during the Civil War, that Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday. He set it on the last Thursday of November. The date was later changed to the fourth Thursday in November by Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1941.

Sarah Josepha Hale, the editor of Godey’s Lady’s Book, played an important role in making Thanksgiving a national holiday. She campaigned for it for 36 years, writing letters to five presidents before Lincoln agreed.

Thanksgiving has many items to include in its tradition of special meals.

The Turkey: This big bird has become the centerpiece of Thanksgiving meals. Americans eat 46 million turkeys each Thanksgiving.

Stuffing: Whether you call it stuffing or dressing, this savory side dish is a must-have on many tables.

Cranberry Sauce: This tart condiment has been a Thanksgiving staple since the mid-19th century.

Pumpkin Pie: No Thanksgiving meal is complete without this spiced dessert. There are many other pies and cakes and other desserts to choose from.

Other foods: Mashed potatoes and gravy, Green bean casserole, Sweet potato casserole, Dinner rolls

Many families have their own dishes that make an appearance each year, reflectingcultural heritage or personal preferences. Italian-American families might serve lasagna alongside the turkey, while some households in the South include macaroni and cheese as a side dish.

There’s been a growing trend towards accommodating dietary restrictions. Vegetarian and vegan options are more common, with dishes like tofurkey or stuffed squash replacing the traditional bird. Gluten-free, dairy-free, and other allergy-friendly versions of classic dishes are increasingly popular.

Over time, Thanksgiving has evolved into a day of traditions, old and new.

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade: Started in 1924, this parade in New York City has become Thanksgiving morning tradition.

Football: Watching NFL games on Thanksgiving has been a tradition since the league’s formation in 1920.

Black Friday: The day after Thanksgiving marks the start of the holiday shopping season, with stores offering sales.

Giving Thanks: Many families have a tradition of going around the table and sharing what they’re thankful for.

Volunteering: Some choose to spend part of their Thanksgiving helping at homeless shelters.

The Presidential Turkey Pardon: Since 1989, the President of the United States has “pardoned” a turkey, sparing it from becoming Thanksgiving dinner.

Thanksgiving is an American holiday. Similar harvest festivals and days of gratitude are celebrated in other countries:

Canada celebrates Thanksgiving on the second Monday in October.

Germany has a harvest festival called Erntedankfest in early October.

Japan celebrates Labor Thanksgiving Day on November 23.

Korea has Chuseok, a harvest festival celebrated in September or October.

Liberia, which was founded by freed American slaves, celebrates Thanksgiving on the first Thursday of November.

Thanksgiving remains one of America’s popular holidays. Families and friends come together, traveling long distances to be with loved ones.

The holiday is also associated with the start of the winter holiday season. Many use the long weekend to put up Christmas decorations or start their holiday shopping.

As we move forward, many are finding ways to honor the spirit of Thanksgiving. This approach lets us learn from the past while creating meaningful traditions for the future.