The True Story of Thanksgiving:
Separating Fact from Myth

Thanksgiving is one of the most beloved holidays in the United States, but its origins are clouded by myth, misinterpretation, and a selective retelling of history. While many are familiar with the story of the Pilgrims and Native Americans sitting down to share a feast in 1621, the reality of Thanksgiving’s roots is far more complex and nuanced. In this article, we’ll uncover the true story behind Thanksgiving, exploring what really happened in 1621, the darker chapters of early American history, and how Thanksgiving evolved into the national holiday it is today.

The Pilgrims’ Journey and the Arrival in Plymouth

The story of Thanksgiving begins in September 1620, when a small ship called the Mayflower set sail from Plymouth, England, carrying 102 passengers. These passengers were a mix of Puritans, Separatists, and other religious dissenters who sought freedom from the Church of England. They wanted a place where they could worship freely, according to their strict beliefs, without conforming to the religious practices of the English church.

The Puritans were a sect that had broken away from the Church of England. They were adamant about practicing their faith in what they considered a purer form, free from the liturgical and hierarchical structure of the Church of England. Their vision was to establish a community where they could worship God without interference and live according to their strict moral codes.

The journey across the Atlantic was grueling and lasted 66 days. The passengers aboard the Mayflower had intended to settle near the Hudson River but ended up much farther north, landing at Cape Cod. After a month, they crossed Massachusetts Bay and began establishing Plymouth Colony.

The Harsh Winter and the Arrival of Squanto

The settlers faced a brutal winter. Many of them succumbed to malnutrition, disease, and the freezing cold. Some survivors remained aboard the Mayflower while others perished in the harsh conditions. However, the Pilgrims were unexpectedly greeted by a member of the Abenaki tribe, who spoke English.

At this point, it’s important to understand why this Native American spoke English. The Native peoples in this region had been interacting with Europeans since 1492. Over the decades, English explorers had come and gone, sometimes peacefully trading but also kidnapping Native Americans, taking them back to England as slaves, and teaching them English before returning them to their homelands. This created a unique situation where some Native Americans, like the Abenaki, were familiar with English.

One of the most famous figures from this period is Squanto, a member of the Pawtuxet tribe. Squanto had been captured by an English sea captain, sold into slavery, escaped to London, and eventually made his way back to his homeland. When he returned, he played a crucial role in helping the Pilgrims survive by teaching them essential farming techniques, how to fish in local rivers, and how to tap maple trees for sap. Squanto also facilitated the alliance between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag tribe, led by Chief Massasoit. This alliance lasted for over 50 years, standing as one of the few peaceful relationships between European settlers and Native Americans.

However, it’s crucial to recognize that Squanto’s involvement in the Pilgrim’s survival wasn’t voluntary in the traditional sense. He was kidnapped, enslaved, and forcibly brought to England. His life and actions are a reminder of the painful and often exploitative interactions between Europeans and Native Americans during this period.

The 1621 Feast: Was it Really the First Thanksgiving?

In November 1621, the Pilgrims celebrated a successful corn harvest. Governor William Bradford, leading Plymouth Colony, decided to host a feast to give thanks for the bounty they had received. They invited their Native American allies, including Massasoit and his tribe, to join in the festivities. This event, often remembered as the “First Thanksgiving,” lasted three days and involved hunting, feasting, and socializing between the Pilgrims and about 90 Wampanoag men.

A chronicler of the Pilgrims, Edward Winslow, wrote about the event, describing how four Pilgrims went hunting and brought back enough fowl to feed the entire group for nearly a week. During the feast, the Wampanoag also brought five deer as a gift. While the event was certainly a time of thanksgiving and celebration, the relationship between the Pilgrims and Native Americans was complex. The 1621 feast, though often referred to as the “First Thanksgiving,” was not an event that laid the foundation for the holiday we celebrate today.

The Complex Legacy of the Pilgrims and Native Americans

While the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag initially enjoyed a peaceful alliance, the larger history of European settlement in America is one of tension, violence, and displacement for Native Americans. As more settlers arrived, particularly in the 1630s, relations between the Native Americans and Europeans began to deteriorate. The introduction of European diseases decimated Native populations, and competition for land and resources created growing tensions.

The Pequot War (1636–1638) is one of the darkest chapters of early American history. Although the Pilgrims were not directly involved, the broader context of European expansion contributed to the violence. The Pequot tribe was nearly wiped out in a brutal conflict driven by land disputes, trade interests, and cultural misunderstandings. This event is rarely discussed in traditional Thanksgiving narratives, but it serves as a reminder of the violent consequences of European colonization.

Thanksgiving as a National Holiday

Thanksgiving didn’t become a national holiday until much later. During the American Revolution, the Continental Congress designated occasional days of thanksgiving to celebrate victories and the success of the Revolutionary War. However, it wasn’t until 1789, after the signing of the U.S. Constitution, that President George Washington issued the first official Thanksgiving proclamation. Washington’s proclamation called for a day of thanksgiving and prayer to give thanks for the country’s independence and the formation of the new government.

In 1817, New York became the first state to officially celebrate Thanksgiving, but it wasn’t until the Civil War that the holiday gained nationwide attention. Sarah Josepha Hale, the author of Mary Had a Little Lamb, campaigned for 36 years to make Thanksgiving a national holiday. Her efforts finally succeeded when President Abraham Lincoln, in 1863, declared Thanksgiving a national holiday to help heal the divisions between the North and South during the Civil War. Lincoln set the date for Thanksgiving as the final Thursday in November, a tradition that was maintained until Franklin Roosevelt moved it up a week earlier in the 1930s to help boost sales during the Great Depression.

The Myth of a “Pagan” Thanksgiving

There are some who argue that Thanksgiving is a pagan holiday due to its harvest-based origins. However, it’s important to distinguish between the general concept of thanksgiving—something nearly every culture practices—and the specific pagan rituals tied to harvest festivals. While some of the symbols associated with Thanksgiving, such as the cornucopia, have pagan roots, the holiday itself does not stem from any specific pagan tradition. Thanksgiving, like many holidays, is about giving thanks for the harvest and for God’s provision, a practice common across many cultures and faiths.

Conclusion: A Day of Thanks and Reflection

In the end, Thanksgiving is more than just a historical event—it’s a reminder to give thanks for the blessings of the year, to reflect on the complexities of history, and to remember the pain and struggles that have shaped the nation. Whether you choose to celebrate Thanksgiving as a way to honor the Pilgrims and Native Americans or as a moment to reflect on national unity and gratitude, it’s important to remember that the holiday’s roots are tied to both triumph and tragedy.

As we gather with family and friends each year, we have an opportunity to reflect on the fullness of the story—acknowledging both the good and the bad, the peaceful and the violent—and to give thanks for the blessings that we have today. Thanksgiving, at its heart, is a time to express gratitude, and perhaps, to seek healing and reconciliation where we can.

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