The First Thanksgiving in America
The First Thanksgiving at Plymouth by Jennie A. Brownscombe, 1914, Pilgrim Hall Museum
When the Pilgrims sailed on the Mayflower and landed in America in the fall of 1620, they faced many challenges. The winter climate was harsh, and many suffered sickness and disease. Food and shelter were hard to obtain, especially in their weak condition. The Pilgrims experienced hunger and starvation during this time, which they called “the starving time.” In the harsh environment, half of the Pilgrims died during the first winter of their arrival.
After the winter, conditions began to improve and food was easier to obtain. With the help of the local Native Americans, the Pilgrims planted much corn. However, drought threatened to destroy their crops and their survival. In response, the Pilgrims arranged a public day of Fasting and Prayer to beseech God for mercy and rain and, as Pilgrim Edward Winslow expressed in his Journal, “to humble ourselves together before the Lord.” On an appointed day, everyone gathered together, fasted, and prayed. The next day it rained, and the crops and harvest were saved. The Pilgrims considered the event to be a direct provision from God. The natives observed these events in astonishment. Also, about that time, the Pilgrims received word that supplies were headed their way. Rejoicing, they attributed the rain, plentiful harvest, and additional supplies to God and His providence.
In response, the Pilgrims held a public day of Thanksgiving to God for His provision and blessings. Pilgrims William Bradford and Edward Winslow described this day in their Journal as one in which they “returned glory, honor, and praise with all thankfulness to our good God who deals so graciously with us.” In the fall of 1621, the Pilgrims celebrated their abundance of autumn harvest and fowl with a feast and invited their native friends to join them in celebration. “Instead of famine we had plenty,” recounts Bradford, “and the face of things was changed to the joy of our hearts. Nor has there been any general want of food among us since to this day.” The Pilgrims overcame famine, and Plymouth Colony survived.
Contributed by AHEF and Angela E. Kamrath.
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11. A City on a Hill: Why John Winthrop and the Puritans Came to America
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Additional Reading: Journal of the Pilgrims at Plymouth in New England, edited/reprinted by George B. Cheever. Chapter 16, pp. 274-288. Google Books. Also known as “Mourt’s Relation.”
Related Blog: The Pilgrims Persevered in Adversity
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Activity Option A: America’s Heritage: An Adventure in Liberty (MS Edition), The History of Thanksgiving Day Unit, pp. 95-99. ES-MS.
The History of Thanksgiving Day
Purpose: The purpose of this lesson is to teach students about the origins of Thanksgiving and the roles of Presidents Washington and Lincoln in making it a national holiday.
Suggested Readings: “The History of Thanksgiving Day” unit reading/handout in America’s Heritage: An Adventure in Liberty, Thanksgiving Unit, pp. 97-98.
Activity: 1) Have students read “The History of Thanksgiving Day” individually or in groups and complete the vocabulary and questions. (See Resources and Links pages on americanheritage.org for additional resources on Thanksgiving and its history.)
2) Have students work in groups to plan their own Thanksgiving celebration. When planning the food, students should include foods native to America (corn, potatoes, etc.) and foods eaten by their own families and cultures at Thanksgiving. Students should include the way they they will “give thanks” in their celebration. When they are finished planning, students present their plan to the class. You may have groups or the class as a whole bring their selected foods and have them participate in their own Thanksgiving celebration.
Closure: Discuss with students the differences between the historic celebration and the contemporary (modern or their own) celebration of Thanksgiving using the T-Chart worksheet as an overhead transparency or as a handout/worksheet.
Activity Option B: Miracle of America High School Teacher Course Guide, Unit 2, Part 3, Activity 7: The History of Thanksgiving Day in America, pp. 93-94, 318-319. MS-HS.
The History of Thanksgiving Day in America
Purpose/Objective: Students learn about the practice, purpose, and significance of Thanksgiving Day to Americans through history as well as the prevalent American beliefs and values that shaped this national holiday.
Suggested Readings: 1) Chapter 2 of Miracle of America sourcebook/text. Students read sections 2.2, 2.7, 2.8, and “The History of Thanksgiving Day” pp. 238-239 in the text.
2) William Bradford and Edward Winslow, letter on First Thanksgiving and Chapter 16, pp. 274-288, “The First Fast Day and Thanksgiving” in Journal of the Pilgrims at Plymouth in New England. Edited/reprinted by George B. Cheever. Also known as “Mourt’s Relation.”
Activity: Read and Respond with Short Answer Paragraphs. Teacher delivers content on Thanksgiving. Students read chapter 16 on “The First Fast Day and Thanksgiving” in Bradford and Winslow’s Journal of the Pilgrims at Plymouth. They should also read “The History of Thanksgiving Day” in Chapter 7 of Miracle of America text, pp. 238-239. Teacher may print the Miracle reading excerpt/handout for the class or display it on an overhead projector. From the readings, students analyze different historical passages that reveal the purpose, motive, and significance of Thanksgiving Day to Americans through history. They write short paragraph answers to the following questions and discuss as a class:
1. What was the original purpose for Thanksgiving? What has been the purpose of Thanksgiving throughout United States’ history?
2. How did the religious beliefs and values of the people of various times in history influence the purpose and significance of Thanksgiving Day?
3. What worldview, religious beliefs, and values are revealed in the content of the official Thanksgiving proclamation passages in history? What do these passages tell you about the prevalent worldview, beliefs, and/or values of the people of those times?
4. Why do you think it is important to recognize Thanksgiving Day in our heritage and in our lives today? What might be some benefits of Thanksgiving to all Americans of different or various beliefs?
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