Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
And with that, let the absorbing begin.
Most historians will agree that the first Thanksgiving celebration happened in 1621. After a long journey to the New World and an even longer first year trying to make a way of life, the pilgrims and the Wampanoag Native Americans sat down together and shared a Harvest Feast.
The Mayflower landed at Plymouth Rock the previous November and the pilgrims had faced an especially bitter winter they were scarcely prepared for. The following spring they were befriended by an English-speaking Indian named Tisquantum. He is more commonly known as Squanto.
Squanto had been to England several times. The first time he traveled there to serve as a translator. The second time an Englishman attempted to sell him into slavery. He escaped and lived in London for a time before he managed to make his way back to the New World. When he arrived he found that the majority of his tribe had been wiped out by an epidemic.
In their place he found the pilgrims that had spent the winter there. He soon realized that they didn't know how to survive in their new environment. It was miraculous that they had survived the first winter alone. Squanto set to work teaching the pilgrims how to cultivate and fertilize crops. He also showed them places to catch fish and eels.
It is widely agreed that without Squanto's assistance, the first settlements of the New World would have failed.
The Mayflower landed at Plymouth Rock the previous November and the pilgrims had faced an especially bitter winter they were scarcely prepared for. The following spring they were befriended by an English-speaking Indian named Tisquantum. He is more commonly known as Squanto.
Squanto had been to England several times. The first time he traveled there to serve as a translator. The second time an Englishman attempted to sell him into slavery. He escaped and lived in London for a time before he managed to make his way back to the New World. When he arrived he found that the majority of his tribe had been wiped out by an epidemic.
In their place he found the pilgrims that had spent the winter there. He soon realized that they didn't know how to survive in their new environment. It was miraculous that they had survived the first winter alone. Squanto set to work teaching the pilgrims how to cultivate and fertilize crops. He also showed them places to catch fish and eels.
It is widely agreed that without Squanto's assistance, the first settlements of the New World would have failed.
He also took part in the diplomatic missions led by some of the settlers to form an alliance with the Wampanoag tribe. Their efforts were successful and the tribe was willing to cooperate, mostly due to Squanto's example.
And so, to give thanks for the bountiful harvest and as a symbol of the cooperation between the English settlers and the Native Americans, a huge celebration was planned. The feast lasted for three days and nights and there were 53 pilgrims and approximately 90 Wampanoag in attendance.
We know much of what was prepared and served thanks to journal accounts of the celebration. It is written that the Wampanoag brought five deer to be roasted and served alongside ducks, geese, fish and lobster. Dried meat was also on the menu, as was dried fruit and berries.
Pumpkins and other types of squash were definitely served although the pilgrims lacked an oven to bake pies. Bread was not present on the table either since the supply of wheat flour brought over on the ship from Europe had long been used up. The same thing happened with the sugar supply, so sweets were not present on the table either.
Interestingly, the pilgrims had spoon and knives but not forks. They picked most of their food up with their fingers. They used cloth napkins to pick up hot food and to clean their hands. They also had salt on the table to sprinkle on their food.
And so, to give thanks for the bountiful harvest and as a symbol of the cooperation between the English settlers and the Native Americans, a huge celebration was planned. The feast lasted for three days and nights and there were 53 pilgrims and approximately 90 Wampanoag in attendance.
We know much of what was prepared and served thanks to journal accounts of the celebration. It is written that the Wampanoag brought five deer to be roasted and served alongside ducks, geese, fish and lobster. Dried meat was also on the menu, as was dried fruit and berries.
Pumpkins and other types of squash were definitely served although the pilgrims lacked an oven to bake pies. Bread was not present on the table either since the supply of wheat flour brought over on the ship from Europe had long been used up. The same thing happened with the sugar supply, so sweets were not present on the table either.
Interestingly, the pilgrims had spoon and knives but not forks. They picked most of their food up with their fingers. They used cloth napkins to pick up hot food and to clean their hands. They also had salt on the table to sprinkle on their food.
It seems reasonable to assume that their food must have been bland by today's standards. But the pilgrims used many spices in their meal preparation. Cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and pepper were popular seasonings and dried fruit was useful in adding flavor as well.
After the first feast at Plymouth, the tradition of a harvest feast continued in America. But it wasn't formally endorsed as a federal holiday until 1941 when President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a bill designating the fourth Thursday in November as Thanksgiving Day.
Even after hundreds of years, a Thanksgiving feast is still an annual tradition in nearly every American household. And in today's world when so many holidays often seem to be overshadowed by commercialization, Thanksgiving Day has managed to remain centered around family, friends, and appreciation for the blessings in our life.
When all of this is taken into account, there is no doubt that Thanksgiving will continue to hold a special place in the hearts of Americans for many years to come.
After the first feast at Plymouth, the tradition of a harvest feast continued in America. But it wasn't formally endorsed as a federal holiday until 1941 when President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a bill designating the fourth Thursday in November as Thanksgiving Day.
Even after hundreds of years, a Thanksgiving feast is still an annual tradition in nearly every American household. And in today's world when so many holidays often seem to be overshadowed by commercialization, Thanksgiving Day has managed to remain centered around family, friends, and appreciation for the blessings in our life.
When all of this is taken into account, there is no doubt that Thanksgiving will continue to hold a special place in the hearts of Americans for many years to come.
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