Thanksgiving Myths Busted

Summary

The first Thanksgiving, as we imagine it, is filled with myths and misconceptions. Pilgrims did not have turkey as the main course, and the event itself was not a formal 'Thanksgiving' but rather a harvest feast. The meal included eel, venison, and other foods, but no cranberries or pumpkin pie. Native Americans vastly outnumbered the pilgrims, contributing greatly to the feast. The term 'Thanksgiving' wasn’t associated with this event until later, in 1841, and it wasn’t a national holiday until 1864. The real story is more complex and different from the popular legend, offering a richer understanding of this American tradition.

Takeaways

• 😀 The story of the Pilgrims and their first Thanksgiving is filled with myths and misconceptions.
• 😀 One of the main dishes at the first Thanksgiving was eel, not turkey.
• 😀 The first Thanksgiving occurred between early September and early November 1621.
• 😀 The only firsthand account of the first Thanksgiving is a letter by Pilgrim Edward Winslow.
• 😀 Edward Winslow’s letter never mentions turkey as the main course, only waterfowl.
• 😀 Contrary to popular depictions, the Pilgrims did not invite the Native Americans; they arrived uninvited and in large numbers.
• 😀 The Native Americans, led by Chief Massasoit, provided the majority of the food, including venison, for the feast.
• 😀 Venison was highly prized by the English and was the main highlight of the feast, not turkey.
• 😀 The Pilgrims did not consider their feast a 'Thanksgiving' as we understand it today, which was a solemn day of prayer for them.
• 😀 The term 'Thanksgiving' was attached to the Pilgrims' harvest feast in the 19th century, but it was originally linked to fasting.
• 😀 Thanksgiving did not become an official national holiday until 1864, despite earlier regional celebrations.

Q & A

What is one of the main reasons we love the story of the Pilgrims?

One reason we love the story of the Pilgrims is because it has a terrific ending, the first Thanksgiving, though the actual events differ greatly from the popular narrative.

What was one of the main dishes at the Pilgrim's table that is often overlooked in the myths about the first Thanksgiving?

One of the main dishes on the Pilgrim's table was eel, which contrasts with the modern perception of turkey as the centerpiece of the meal.

Did the Pilgrims mention turkey in the eyewitness account of the first Thanksgiving?

No, the Pilgrim Edward Winslow's letter, the only known eyewitness account, never mentions turkey. It only refers to 'water birds,' which likely were ducks or geese.

How many Native Americans attended the first Thanksgiving compared to the Pilgrims?

The Native Americans outnumbered the Pilgrims almost two to one. There were about 90 Native Americans at the feast compared to 50 Pilgrims.

Who provided the majority of the food for the feast at the first Thanksgiving?

The Wampanoag tribe, led by Chief Massasoit, provided most of the food, including five deer (venison), which was highly esteemed by the Pilgrims.

Why was venison considered an extraordinary gift by the Pilgrims?

Venison was considered a prestigious and rare gift because it was highly valued in English culture, making it a special treat for the Pilgrims.

What did the Pilgrims actually call their Harvest Feast, and how is it different from modern-day Thanksgiving?

The Pilgrims did not call their Harvest Feast 'Thanksgiving.' For them, a Thanksgiving was a solemn day of prayer. The Harvest Feast was not a day of feasting like the modern holiday.

When did the term 'Thanksgiving' become associated with the Pilgrims' Harvest Feast?

The term 'Thanksgiving' was first associated with the Pilgrims' Harvest Feast in 1841 when Edward Winslow's letter was rediscovered, and it wasn’t until 1864 that Thanksgiving became a national holiday.

How did the first Thanksgiving contribute to American traditions?

Despite its historical inaccuracies, the first Thanksgiving established the tradition of a harvest celebration, which evolved into the national holiday we celebrate today.

What is the irony behind the Pilgrims' traditional 'Thanksgiving' and the modern holiday?

The irony lies in the fact that the Pilgrims' 'Thanksgiving' was a day of fasting and prayer, while the modern New England Thanksgiving became all about feasting.