Thanksgiving is an age-old holiday celebrated in America on the fourth Thursday in November. People gather around family and friends to give thanks for what they have. There is tons of great food, and memories that will last a lifetime are made. Many enjoy getting up in the morning and watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and later seeing NFL teams battling it out for the turducken. This holiday brings joy to many, but it is important to remember what Thanksgiving is really about.

The first Thanksgiving was celebrated in October of 1621. It marks the very first successful harvest that the pilgrims had after arriving in the New World. In 1620, the Mayflower set sail for America carrying 102 passengers, 30 crew members, hundreds of belongings, and even some animals. The ship was headed by Captain Myles Standish. It was a long and difficult journey, and unfortunately one person on board did not survive the trip. However, many took ill on the boat and makeshift beds were set up below deck. After a sixty-six day voyage, the Mayflower landed at Plymouth Rock, in Plymouth Bay, Massachusetts. Some of the voyagers stayed on the ship to care for the sick, and some went on the land and began to explore. Not much later, the first colony in New England was settled, but there was much struggle for some time. The pilgrims did not know the land, and had little to no supplies to get them through the winter. Many died which meant less people to help the effort to survive.

It is an understatement to say the settlers’ first winter was harsh. The colony was plagued with famine and disease, and even more people perished. With the little supplies the Pilgrims had, a shelter house was built and the sick people were moved from the ship into that building. Many historians believe that the colonists had no choice but to use the Mayflower’s wood to assist in the building of the settlement. 

It is said that in December of 1620 is when the Pilgrims and the Native American tribe Wampanoags had their first encounter. It is believed the Wampanoag Chief Massasoit made contact with Myles Standish, but was first greeted by colonist Edward Winslow. Massasoit wanted to ensure peace between the two races. Two other Native Americans Samoset and Squanto aided the Pilgrims in adapting to their new surroundings. They traded animal skin and food with the colonists, as well as showing the

m how to properly plant crops. In October of 1621, all of the hard work finally paid off. It was the first- and successful harvest for the Pilgrims. The remaining 53 Mayflower survivors and 90 members of the Wampanoag tribe feasted for three days in celebration.

Even though everyone in America are not direct descendants of the original settlers, we have them to thank for being brave enough to make the journey to the New World. This began the long fight for independence, and the brave men who fought to defend our new country, and the first Thanksgiving was just the beginning of what eventually came to be known as America.

The first Thanksgiving set the precedent for celebrating success in the first colony in America, and is still celebrated today. However, we often forget the true meaning behind this holiday. The first Thanksgiving marked the beginning of what is now the United States of America. It united two kinds of people and brought them together. It is a symbol for setting aside your differences and joining together as one. Each side had much gratitude to give to the other, and we should all be grateful to them for setting aside their differences. A special bond was formed between the settlers and the Wampanoag tribe. The gathering of the people and joyfulness of the day should be remembered and reflected upon forever. That is the true meaning of Thanksgiving.