Origins of Thanksgiving (Pre-1621)

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Thanksgiving is rooted in harvest festivals that were common among Native American tribes long before Europeans arrived. Many Native tribes, such as the Wampanoag, held ceremonies to thank the earth for its bountiful harvest. These events were marked by feasting, dancing, and ceremonies honoring the seasons and the earth’s natural cycles.

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Key Facts:

• Harvest Celebrations: Many Native American tribes had seasonal celebrations for the fall harvest.

• Spiritual Practices: These gatherings had strong cultural and spiritual significance, highlighting the importance of gratitude in Native cultures.

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The First Thanksgiving (1621)

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The “First Thanksgiving” refers to a feast held in 1621 in Plymouth, Massachusetts, involving Pilgrims and the Wampanoag people. The Pilgrims, having survived a harsh winter, celebrated their first successful harvest. The Wampanoag, led by Chief Massasoit, joined them in a three-day feast.

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Key Facts:

• The Mayflower Journey: In 1620, Pilgrims arrived in Plymouth aboard the Mayflower. Roughly half of them survived the first winter due to food shortages and disease.

• Wampanoag Alliance: The Wampanoag helped the Pilgrims grow crops and hunt local animals.

• Menu: The menu likely included venison, fowl, fish, and native crops like corn and squash, rather than modern Thanksgiving foods.

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Important Figures:

• Squanto (Tisquantum): A Patuxet Native who taught the Pilgrims crucial survival skills, including planting and fishing techniques.

• Massasoit: The Wampanoag chief who formed an alliance with the Pilgrims.

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Evolution of Thanksgiving Celebrations (17th–18th Centuries)

After the initial feast in 1621, annual Thanksgiving celebrations did not immediately follow. However, throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, Thanksgiving-like observances became increasingly common in New England. They were often religious in nature, focused on prayer and gratitude during times of hardship.

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Key Facts:

• Regional Holiday: Thanksgiving was primarily a New England practice.

• Purpose: These celebrations centered around thanking God for good fortune, military victories, or abundant harvests.

• Absence of a National Celebration: There was no official national Thanksgiving day, and practices varied widely among the colonies.

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Thanksgiving Becomes a National Holiday (19th Century)

Sarah Josepha Hale, a magazine editor and author of “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” was instrumental in the establishment of Thanksgiving as a national holiday. For 17 years, Hale campaigned by writing letters to governors, presidents, and other officials, emphasizing Thanksgiving as a unifying celebration for the U.S.

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Key Figures:

• Sarah Josepha Hale: A persistent advocate, known as the “Mother of Thanksgiving.”

• Abraham Lincoln: Proclaimed Thanksgiving a national holiday in 1863 amidst the Civil War, setting the date as the last Thursday of November to foster national unity.

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Thanksgiving Proclamation (1863):

In Lincoln’s proclamation, he invited Americans to give thanks and pray for peace and healing for the nation. This move symbolized Thanksgiving as a unifying moment, encouraging Americans to put aside differences and be grateful.

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Modern Thanksgiving (20th Century–Present)

Thanksgiving has evolved into a holiday marked by family gatherings, feasts, parades, and football. The menu became standardized with turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. The iconic Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade began in 1924, solidifying the holiday as an American cultural staple.

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Key Developments:

• Thanksgiving and Retail: The Friday after Thanksgiving, now known as “Black Friday,” marks the beginning of the holiday shopping season.

• Modern Traditions: Football games, parades, and turkey pardons by the President have become symbols of modern Thanksgiving.

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Thanksgiving Today: Reflection and Awareness

Today, Thanksgiving holds a complex meaning. Many recognize it as a time to celebrate family and gratitude, while others reflect on its historical context, particularly the impact of European settlement on Native American communities. Some Native American groups observe a National Day of Mourning on Thanksgiving to honor their ancestors and bring attention to their historical experiences.

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Additional Classroom Resources

Here’s a list of resources that provide interactive, engaging ways to learn more about Thanksgiving:

1. Interactive Websites:

   • Plimoth Patuxet Museums: You Are the Historian: An interactive resource for students to explore different perspectives on the first Thanksgiving.

   • Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian: Native Knowledge 360°: Educational materials and resources from a Native American perspective.

2. Articles:

   • History.com: History of Thanksgiving: An overview of Thanksgiving’s history, including its origins and changes over time.

   • National Geographic: “Thanksgiving Myths & Realities”: Explores common myths and factual corrections about the Thanksgiving story.

3. Videos:

   • PBS Learning Media - The First Thanksgiving: A series of videos explaining the first Thanksgiving and its significance to both Pilgrims and Native Americans.

   • Crash Course U.S. History - The First Thanksgiving: A concise and entertaining look at the history of Thanksgiving, ideal for middle and high school students.

4. Primary Sources:

   • The Thanksgiving Proclamation by Abraham Lincoln: Access the original text of Lincoln’s 1863 Thanksgiving Proclamation on the Library of Congress website.

This overview and the additional resources provide a comprehensive look at Thanksgiving for students and teachers alike, fostering a deeper understanding of the holiday’s history, cultural significance, and modern-day meaning.