How Thanksgiving Came To Be

THANKSGIVING 2014

Thanksgiving is coming up shortly.  This holiday isn’t important just because of what it represents (giving thanks, which is sorely lacking from our society today), but also because of how it came to be.

The First Thanksgiving 1621, by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris (1899)

I find the story of the Plymouth colonists to be fascinating.  Originally coming to the New World to escape religious persecution, some extraordinary pieces came together to help the colony succeed, and eventually to Thanksgiving becoming a national holiday.

If you find no other reason to read this blog post, at least you can say you’re smarter than your friends on some fun facts about Thanksgiving.

Here are some of the major people and events that contributed to Thanksgiving as we know it:

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THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND

By the mid 1500s, the Church of England had become more of a political tool used by the ruling monarch, rather than a way to reach God.  There was actually a fine of one shilling (roughly $27 USD today) for every missed Sunday in church, as well as more serious persecution.  A group of separatists moved to Leiden, Holland, in an attempt to escape harassment, but by 1617 decided to leave for fear of losing their English identity and culture.  They set sail in September of 1620 to the New World aboard the Mayflower.

The Mayflower At Sea, by Gilbert Tucker Margeson (1852-1940)

THE PILGRIMS

After being blown off course and landing more northward then initially intended, the pilgrims (who were not Puritans, though are commonly confused with them) established the Plymouth colony in December of 1620.  Around 50% of the original group perished during the first winter.  There were some initial skirmishes with the Native Americans, but it was clear that neither side wanted to fight.  William Bradford became governor of Plymouth in 1621 after the first governor died; his journal, Of Plymouth Plantation, is the primary source of information on the colony.

THE NATIVE AMERICANS

One day, a Native American walked right into the colony and started speaking English to the colonists.  It was Samoset, who had originally learned English from some fishermen he met in present-day Maine.  Samoset brought back more of his tribe to trade animal skins the next day, along with another Native American named Squanto, who spoke better English.

Squanto was originally captured by an English explorer, brought to England, and was taught English to be an interpreter.  He returned to New England in 1614 on an expedition with John Smith (the same one who met Pocahontas!), but was captured by one of Smith’s lieutenants to be sold as a slave back in England.  He was rescued by some friars, became a Christian, and sailed across the Atlantic another few times, all the while trying to make it back to his homeland.  He finally made it back in 1619, only to learn that his entire tribe had perished due to English diseases.

The Wampanoag chieftain Massasoit also befriended the colonists and gave them food throughout the winter of 1621.  Squanto served as an interpreter between the Pilgrims and the Native Americans.  He taught the colonists how to effectively live off the land, most notably showing them how to plant corn (which, legend says, involved using local fish to fertilize the crops). 

The First Thanksgiving At Plymouth, by Jennie Augusta Brownscombe (1914)

THE FIRST THANKSGIVING

The Pilgrims already had regular “thanksgivings” to God throughout the years, but invited the Native Americans to join them in 1621 because of their successful first harvest.  A total of 90 Native Americans and 53 Pilgrims attended.  Although there are other feasts of thanks that took place in America before, this event is traditionally regarded as the first Thanksgiving.

THE PRESIDENTS

Both the Continental Congress and George Washington declared thanksgiving events throughout the Revolutionary War and afterward.  Washington was specific in giving thanks to God when he called for a universal thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving was declared a federal holiday in 1863 during the Civil War by Abraham Lincoln in an attempt to unite the North and South.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared the fourth Thursday in November officially as Thanksgiving in 1939 (as that year had an unusual fifth Thursday).  In 1941, this was ratified by Congress and signed by Roosevelt, becoming federally recognized.

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THANKSGIVING REFLECTIONS // A LESSON FOR US

Since I was a kid, I’ve always found this story interesting.  It’s so cool to see how each person and event is so unique, and watching God place all the pieces together to make this event.  It’s awesome to see these two groups work together, especially considering how most interactions between colonists and Native Americans were detrimental.

Indian Captives, by Robert Walter Wier (1803-1889)

May we open our hearts as both the Pilgrims and the Native Americans did to work together, and to recognize how God provides for us, even through the tough times.

So what are you thankful for?