“If the only prayer you said in your life was ‘Thank you,’ that would suffice.” – Meister Eckhart

Of course, you are waiting for the holiday! But it’s so much more than just mashed potatoes and stuffed turkey or pumpkin pies on your plate. The story of the first Thanksgiving that most Americans are aware of, is not exactly accurate. Just take a moment — there is more that is still inside the tomb. Shocked?? 

The first animated movie “The Mouse on the Mayflower” happens to have misinformed an entire generation which in-turn resulted in enforcing a slew of cringe-worthy stereotypes.

It wasn’t any day for a holiday on thanksgiving!! 

 No need to wear lenses — Yes, you are reading correctly! In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln declared a national holiday to heartily thank the Civil War victories, later called “The Thanksgiving Day”. According to reliable sources, the first Thanksgiving stemmed from the massacre of the Pequot people in 1637.

Squanto: The real hero

Squanto, also known as Tisquantum, played an important role in the history of Thanksgiving Day. On the basis of American children’s textbooks, Squanto helped the Pilgrims. His people, the Patuxet, a group of the “Wampanoag” tribe, had lived near the Pilgrims tents. When they arrived, he became a polyglot for them in diplomacy and trade with other native people. Squanto also taught them the most effective method for corn plantation. 

In 1939, the fourth Thursday, on November 30 was set as Thanksgiving day but FDR was not happy with the decision as that was too close to Christmas, and he wouldn’t able to give people enough time to, ahem.  

 Were they really serving turkey?

There is no evidence that they served turkey in the dinner.

“There are primary source writings about the wild turkey being abundant in the area that fall, yet they do not specifically mention if they were at the First Thanksgiving”. — Tom Begley

There were certainly some wildfowl; goose, duck, or turkey. “However, there is no direct evidence proving that turkey was in fact served,” he added.

Wild turkeys were first hunted on a thanksgiving day in 1863. Since then it became popular as the Thanksgiving meal.

Summing Up

“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” — William Arthur Ward

In 2021, the world will celebrate the 400th anniversary of the first Thanksgiving. Now it has become a resemble of celebration with delicious turkey in dinner. On Thanksgiving day, Americans celebrate the story of the Pilgrim’s meal with the Native Americans and spend a day with loved ones giving thanks to one and all.