Thanksgiving: Debunked

In light of the approaching Thanksgiving holiday, I thought researching the history of the first Thanksgiving would be an interesting activity. What I found is not only fascinating, it is shocking as well!


MYTH: Thanksgiving has been celebrated annually since the Pilgrims’ great meal in 1621.

Thanksgiving was not a national holiday until 1863, when President Abraham Lincoln issued a “Thanksgiving Proclamation,” declaring the last Thursday of November to be the national day of thanksgiving. Congress did not proclaim Thanksgiving as a legal holiday until 1941.


FACT: The Native Americans brought five deer with them to the Thanksgiving feast.


MYTH: The Pilgrims dressed in black and white, with buckles on their hats and shoes, and the Native Americans wore loincloths.

While numerous artists have depicted the colonists and Native Americans in this attire, the truth resides in fact. First, buckles were not worn until several decades later, and black and white clothing was reserved for Sundays. The colonists most likely wore a variety of colors, including green, brown, beige, yellow, reds, and even purples. Second, the Native Americans were probably clothed in more than loincloths due to the chilly fall weather of Massachusetts.



FACT: The only primary source evidence of the First Thanksgiving is an entry in Edward Winslow’s journal. Winslow, the governor of Plymouth Colony, explained that the colonists shared a feast with Chief Massasoit and ninety Wampanoag Native Americans.


MYTH: The First Thanksgiving occurred in 1621 in Plymouth, Massachusetts in thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest.

While traditionally, we consider the First Thanksgiving to have occurred in early November 1621, the America’s REAL first Thanksgiving occurred in St. Augustine, Florida on September 8, 1565. On this date, Pedro Menendez de Aviles landed on what is now known as Matanzas Bay of the St. Augustine settlement.




I hope all of you have a restful Thanksgiving and spend lots of time with friends and family!