A Day for Giving Thanks

The exact date of the first Thanksgiving is not known. Most likely it was a day in mid-October. The year was 1621. Fifty of the 110 that had left England on September 6, 1620, had survived a long, cold, damp trip and a longer eleven months in America. Governor William Bradford proclaimed that there should be a day of Thanksgiving and it should be shared by all the colonists and the neighboring Native Americans who had helped them.

There was much for the survivors to celebrate. They were alive, they had built homes and raised enough food to store for the oncoming winter, and they were at peace with their Indian neighbors, the Wampanoag.

The celebration lasted three days. They played games, held races and marched and played drums. The Indians demonstrated their skills with a bow and arrow, and the Pilgrims showed off their marksmanship with their muskets. Of course, there was a bountiful meal.

According to a firsthand account written by colonist Edward Winslow, four Pilgrims went fowl hunting and returned with ducks, geese, turkey, and swans. The Native Americans brought a freshly killed deer. In fact, there was so much food that the 50 Pilgrims and 90 Native Americans feasted for three days.

The following year, 1622, the harvest was not as abundant, and newcomers to the colony meant there were more months to feed. In 1623 the summer was hot and dry. Crops shriveled in the fields. There would be no celebration. However, Governor Bradford ordered a day of fasting and praying. It worked. Rain came. So, on November 29, 1623, the day of Thanksgiving was proclaimed. Many believe this day to be the real first Thanksgiving. The traditions and customs that evolved over the years certainly date back to what took place on these three days in October in 1621.

In 1817 New York adopted Thanksgiving Day as an annual custom. Other states soon did the same. In 1863 President Lincoln appointed a National Day of Thanksgiving as have all Presidents since. It is traditionally the fourth Thursday in November. That makes the next day, Friday, the busiest shopping day of the year. Many Americans begins their Christmas shopping that day and retailers offer many bargains to lure as many buyers to their establishments as possible. In New York City, Macy’s Department Store holds its annual parade that is attended by thousands and viewed by millions. It is also a day and weekend of football games. Of course, just like the colonists and Native Americans, many of us overeat.