THE FIRST THANKSGIVING

01. It initiated an annual celebration

Thanksgiving wasn’t celebrated officially until the presidency of Abraham Lincoln, more than 200 years after the first. Prior to Abe, it was honoured on and off until it was finally made a national holiday in 1863. One final change in 1941 secured the fourth Thursday in November as the official date.

02. The Pilgrims wore top hats with buckles

Contemporary images of the first Thanksgiving often show the Pilgrims dressed head to toe in black and white, but it is believed that they actually wore clothing that was many colours. As for the buckles on their hats, these were expensive and unfashionable items at the time, so it is unlikely they would have worn them either.

03. Native Americans were invited

Contrary to popular belief, Native Americans weren’t invited to the event. It’s likely that they heard the commotion coming from the festivities and upon investigation were welcomed to join the celebration. Also, any pictures with the natives wearing just loin-cloths are incorrect. New England is cold in the autumn.

04. The feasters ate Turkey

Although there was definitely wild fowl available to the Pilgrims, they may well have eaten goose and duck or even swan or pigeon rather than turkey. Staying on the food topic, sweet potatoes, corn on the cob and cranberries may be the staple traditional dishes today, but these delicacies were not available to those in New England in 1621.

05. It was the first celebration of thanksgiving

Several events that took place all across the New World predate the 1621 Thanksgiving. They include Spanish festivals in Florida in 1565 and Texas in 1598, a Canadian Thanksgiving in 1578, a settler celebration in Jamestown in 1619 and of course a variety of Native American harvest festivals.

From "All About History", UK, issue 35,2016, excert p.26. Adapted and illustrated to be posted by Leopoldo Costa.