Thanksgiving Day 28-11-2013

Thanksgiving Day 28-11-2013

Source: The First Thanksgiving 1621

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Throughout history, people have given thanks - sometimes in joyful celebration, often in solemn, even prayerful, ceremony. The United States, over hundreds of years, has come to observe a national holiday for giving thanks. Thanksgiving: family and friends, crisp fall weather, orange and gold leaves, football, turkey, pumpkin pie.

A legendary Thanksgiving celebration was held in 1621. The  terrible winter of the previous year had been difficult for the Pilgrims. Many of the Pilgrims had died because of illness and lack of shelter. The Thanksgiving celebration was held after the Pilgrims had their first harvest-after they had gathered their first crops.

The writings of the Pilgrims tell us that about 140 people attended the three-day celebration. Ninety of the people were  Wampanoag men. About 50 people were Pilgrims. Only four of the Pilgrims at the party were women. The feast was held outside because the Pilgrims did not have a building large enough to hold so many people.

The Pilgrims were thankful for the harvest and for the help of the Wampanoag in teaching them to grow crops in America. Without their help, the Pilgrims would have had little to eat. The menu for the first Thanksgiving included venison, or deer meat, and  fowl, which included ducks, geese, and turkeys. Sea bass, cod fish, cornmeal, 
fruits and vegetables were also served.  

Games were played, and singing and dancing were also part of the celebration. Praises were given  to God for the harvest and for the Pilgrims that survived the harsh winter.

Thanksgiving in America is now celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November. Families prepare a meal similar to the meal prepared by the Pilgrims and Wampanoag 400 years ago. It is a time for counting the blessings received during the year and for spending time with family and friends.