By: Rhea Yokum

Thanksgiving traces its roots back to early 17^th century colonial America, particularly the 1621 feast at Plymouth, Massachusetts, shared between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag people.

 After the Pilgrims, a group of English Puritans seeking religious freedom, had settled in Plymouth Colony in December 1620, they endured a harsh winter that left many of them starving and sick. In the spring of 1621, they received help from the Wampanoag, a Native American tribe led by Chief Massasoit. The Wampanoag taught the Pilgrims essential survival skills, such as how to plant corn and fish in local waters. 

The feast of 1621, which is often considered the first “Thanksgiving”, was a three-day event attended by around 50 Pilgrims and about 90 Wampanoag in celebration of their first successful harvest. The foods served included wildfowl, corn, beans, nuts and squash. While the event was not called Thanksgiving at the time, it marked a rare peaceful interaction between the two groups. 

Thanksgiving as an annual celebration did not become widespread immediately. Over the next few centuries, various colonies held occasional days of thanksgiving, often in response to successful harvests or military victories. 

Sarah Josepha Hale, a magazine editor, is famously known as the “Mother of Thanksgiving” because of her relentless campaign to make Thanksgiving a national holiday. For more than 17 years, Hale wrote numerous letters presidents, governors, and influential figures, strongly advocating for an annual day of thanks to unite the country. 

In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln influenced by Hale’s campaign proclaimed Thanksgiving a national holiday, setting the date as the last Thursday in November. In 1941, Congress officially established Thanksgiving as a national holiday on the fourth Thursday of November, a date still observed today.

Remmey Lohr, a student at WVWC said, “One of my favorite Thanksgiving traditions is going golfing with my whole family after eating Thanksgiving dinner!”. Braydon Sturm, another student, shared that his favorite Thanksgiving tradition is gathering with his family to enjoy a meal together and watch football. 

 Thanksgiving as has since evolved into a time for families to gather, give thanks, and enjoy a meal with traditions and customs varying across the United States. So, while you’re enjoying your turkey and pumpkin pie this year, remember the history and journey that brought us the cherished tradition.

Photo from https://historicaldigression.com/2010/11/24/where-the-first-thanksgiving-took-place/