At the Plymouth Plantation in Massachusetts, a living history museum tries to dispel the myths of the first Thanksgiving. For one, it’s unclear why 90 men ended up in Plymouth in 1621 but it’s doubtful they were invited for an official Thanksgiving meal.
In fact, the English settlers and Native Americans didn’t realize they were starting any sort of enduring trend; they were simply eating their catch. Perhaps the Thanksgiving we know today became an intransitive tradition because of romanticized accounts in magazines much later. Either way, Thanksgiving is one of the most beloved American holidays.
The first Thanksgiving was a three-day feast, according to the reports. The pilgrims generally ate their meals around noon, with the housewives up very early to prepare. Even back then, leftovers were served as breakfast the following day.
According to historians, the best food was served to adults of the highest social standing, with children and servants waiting on them, and most guests would have just eaten what was closest to them at the Thanksgiving table, rather than sampling everything as we do today.
The Wampanoags ate whenever they were hungry and had pots brewing all day long. Both Indians and colonists ate meals consisting of different meat dishes, more so than vegetables, which were difficult for colonists to procure in November.
There are other accounts of the first Thanksgiving, of course. Some say the pilgrims who landed at the Virginia “Berkeley Plantation” in 1919 celebrated the first Thanksgiving, proclaiming: “We ordain that the day of our ships arrival at the place assigned for plantation in the land of Virginia shall be yearly and perpetually kept holy as a day of thanksgiving to Almighty God.”
Other authors and historians report Thanksgiving is attributed to the Spaniards circa 1565 in Saint Augustine, Florida or 1598 in El Paso, Texas. No matter who began the American tradition or how much it has changed, it’s good that we take a moment to reflect upon all that we are thankful for, including sacrifices made by the brave settlers who colonized this fine country.
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