Where did Thanksgiving come from?
- Thread starter native
- Start date
cartman101
Active Member
ok.
Thanksgiving: Piligims come to the new world and have dinner with the natives
Thanksgiving: Piligims come to the new world and have dinner with the natives
pbienkiewi
Member
Well since I was born I have been having Thanksgiving. I was not around to tell when the first thanksgiving was so from folklore I guess it was when the Pilgrims came to this new land. They ate with the Indians. Let me finish my time machine Then I can get back to you on this.
mudplayerx
Active Member
The pilgrims were having really bad luck in the new land. The cold winter of that year killed a majority of the settlement, and the remaining survivors were starving to death because earlier crops did very poorly in the rocky soil. I can't remember what indian nation it was that helped the survivors, but it was obviously one that had territories in the eastern USA.
I believe that the indians brought food for the settlers to eat as well as teaching them how to fertilize crops with fish so that they would grow in rocky soil.
I believe that the indians brought food for the settlers to eat as well as teaching them how to fertilize crops with fish so that they would grow in rocky soil.
sluggo
Member
It has been at least 35+ years since I was taught about this in school, but as best as I can recall Thanksgiving started as a feast to celebrate the harvests. The "Indians" were invited because they gave the Pilgrims the seed and taught them to plant the Maize, and I also believe beans. I also doubt that turkey was on the menu at the first feast. I would imagine that it was more like venison, rabbit and assorted gamebirds. Like I said to start with, it has been a long time.
Don
Don
dogstar
Active Member
Not trying to start an argument and I cant prove anything but I think it was very possible that turkey was part of the first Thanksgiving dinner. Its a common gamebird in many parts of the country and back then even more so. Ben Frankin purposed it for the National Bird.
BTW, Happy Thankgiveing to all..........
BTW, Happy Thankgiveing to all..........
dogstar
Active Member
The Mayflwer left England on Sept. 1620 w/ 102 ppl., settled at Plymouth Rock, Mass. Dec. By Feb. there were only 50 left and in bad shape. A native named Samasett aproched them and he spoke a little English and later came back w/ other members of the tribe Wampanoags and they helped the settelers and form a peace agreement and celebrated.
From a journal by William Bradford, settler, March 20, 1621
From a journal by William Bradford, settler, March 20, 1621
nw2sltfsh
Member
Originally Posted by Dogstar
Not trying to start an argument and I cant prove anything but I think it was very possible that turkey was part of the first Thanksgiving dinner.
My daughter is in 2nd grade and they just learned about the 1st Thanksgiving, part of the lesson was talking about what the first Thanksgiving feast items were - This sounds like a fantastic dinner:
Wild Turkey
Roasted Duck
Lobster
Clams
Oysters
Fish
Venison
Corn Bread
Squash
Dried berries and nuts
Man now I want lobster instead of Turkey - its easier to cook too!
Not trying to start an argument and I cant prove anything but I think it was very possible that turkey was part of the first Thanksgiving dinner.
My daughter is in 2nd grade and they just learned about the 1st Thanksgiving, part of the lesson was talking about what the first Thanksgiving feast items were - This sounds like a fantastic dinner:
Wild Turkey
Roasted Duck
Lobster
Clams
Oysters
Fish
Venison
Corn Bread
Squash
Dried berries and nuts
Man now I want lobster instead of Turkey - its easier to cook too!
jmick
Active Member
Here’s some history on the origin of Thanksgiving. We know the Pilgrim’s headed to the new world in 1620 and had a disastrous start. They were able to avoid starvation when the Wampanoag Nation/Tribe brought them food and shared information on planting, hunting, etc. Here’s a fact, at this time half of the world’s crops were planted by the Indians and were unknown to the Europeans.
In 1621, after surviving their first year gov. Bradford ordered a celebration. Unfortunately, the Pilgrims thanks were not extended to the Wampanoag, who they viewed as inferior and servants (because they were neither white or christians).
It became a nation holiday in 1789 when George Washington asked Congress to make it a national holiday.
It kind of disappeared for a while (thanks in part to the Civil War) and was revised by the great FDR in 1939.
In 1621, after surviving their first year gov. Bradford ordered a celebration. Unfortunately, the Pilgrims thanks were not extended to the Wampanoag, who they viewed as inferior and servants (because they were neither white or christians).
It became a nation holiday in 1789 when George Washington asked Congress to make it a national holiday.
It kind of disappeared for a while (thanks in part to the Civil War) and was revised by the great FDR in 1939.
stang66200
Member
Lincoln made Thanksgiving a holiday.
FDR tried to move Thanksgiving to boost holiday sales.
and the 1940s (I believe) saw turkey become the main dish.
FDR tried to move Thanksgiving to boost holiday sales.
and the 1940s (I believe) saw turkey become the main dish.
farmboy
Active Member
Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor -- and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me "to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness."
Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be -- That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks -- for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation -- for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the tranquility [sic], union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed -- for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted -- for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.
And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions -- to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually -- to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed -- to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn [sic] kindness onto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord -- To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease [sic] of science among them and us -- and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.
Given under my hand at the City of New York
the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.
George Washington
Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be -- That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks -- for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation -- for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the tranquility [sic], union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed -- for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national One now lately instituted -- for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed; and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and in general for all the great and various favors which he hath been pleased to confer upon us.
And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions -- to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually -- to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed -- to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn [sic] kindness onto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord -- To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the encrease [sic] of science among them and us -- and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.
Given under my hand at the City of New York
the third day of October in the year of our Lord 1789.
George Washington
farmboy
Active Member
The Real Story of the First Thanksgiving
By Benjamin Franklin (1785)
“There is a tradition that in the planting of New England, the first settlers met with many difficulties and hardships, as is generally the case when a civiliz’d people attempt to establish themselves in a wilderness country. Being so piously dispos’d, they sought relief from heaven by laying their wants and distresses before the Lord in frequent set days of fasting and prayer. Constant meditation and discourse on these subjects kept their minds gloomy and discontented, and like the children of Israel there were many dispos’d to return to the Egypt which persecution had induc’d them to abandon.
“At length, when it was proposed in the Assembly to proclaim another fast, a farmer of plain sense rose and remark’d that the inconveniences they suffer’d, and concerning which they had so often weary’d heaven with their complaints, were not so great as they might have expected, and were diminishing every day as the colony strengthen’d; that the earth began to reward their labour and furnish liberally for their subsistence; that their seas and rivers were full of fish, the air sweet, the climate healthy, and above all, they were in the full enjoyment of liberty, civil and religious.
“He therefore thought that reflecting and conversing on these subjects would be more comfortable and lead more to make them contented with their situation; and that it would be more becoming the gratitude they ow’d to the divine being, if instead of a fast they should proclaim a thanksgiving. His advice was taken, and from that day to this, they have in every year observ’d circumstances of public felicity sufficient to furnish employment for a Thanksgiving Day, which is therefore constantly ordered and religiously observed.”
Thank God for farmers!!
By Benjamin Franklin (1785)
“There is a tradition that in the planting of New England, the first settlers met with many difficulties and hardships, as is generally the case when a civiliz’d people attempt to establish themselves in a wilderness country. Being so piously dispos’d, they sought relief from heaven by laying their wants and distresses before the Lord in frequent set days of fasting and prayer. Constant meditation and discourse on these subjects kept their minds gloomy and discontented, and like the children of Israel there were many dispos’d to return to the Egypt which persecution had induc’d them to abandon.
“At length, when it was proposed in the Assembly to proclaim another fast, a farmer of plain sense rose and remark’d that the inconveniences they suffer’d, and concerning which they had so often weary’d heaven with their complaints, were not so great as they might have expected, and were diminishing every day as the colony strengthen’d; that the earth began to reward their labour and furnish liberally for their subsistence; that their seas and rivers were full of fish, the air sweet, the climate healthy, and above all, they were in the full enjoyment of liberty, civil and religious.
“He therefore thought that reflecting and conversing on these subjects would be more comfortable and lead more to make them contented with their situation; and that it would be more becoming the gratitude they ow’d to the divine being, if instead of a fast they should proclaim a thanksgiving. His advice was taken, and from that day to this, they have in every year observ’d circumstances of public felicity sufficient to furnish employment for a Thanksgiving Day, which is therefore constantly ordered and religiously observed.”
