Thanksgiving is one of the most iconic holidays in the United States, celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November each year. However, the holiday’s origins and the reasons for its celebration are often misunderstood or overlooked. While it has become a day for feasting, family gatherings, and expressing gratitude, the history behind Thanksgiving is deeply tied to the early experiences of European settlers in North America, as well as the complex interactions between these settlers and the Indigenous peoples who had lived on the continent for thousands of years.
This article will explore the origins of Thanksgiving, how it became a formalized national holiday, and why it was initially celebrated. Understanding the holiday’s roots provides important context for both its current practice and the deeper reflections it can provoke about history, cultural exchanges, and the legacies of colonialism.
The Early History of Thanksgiving
The First Thanksgiving: 1621 in Plymouth Colony
The most widely recognized story of Thanksgiving begins in 1621, when the Pilgrims of Plymouth Colony, who had settled in what is now Massachusetts, hosted a feast to celebrate their successful harvest. This event is often referred to as the “First Thanksgiving,” although it wasn’t called that at the time, and there was no set tradition for a holiday to commemorate it. It was, in fact, a three-day feast that was attended by 53 Pilgrims and around 90 Wampanoag people, including the Wampanoag leader Massasoit.
The Pilgrims, a group of English Separatists seeking religious freedom, had endured a difficult first winter in the New World. Many of them died from disease, malnutrition, and exposure, but through the help of the Wampanoag people, they learned to plant crops like corn and beans, which were native to the region. The Wampanoag, in turn, had their own reasons for forming an alliance with the Pilgrims. They had been dealing with their own challenges due to European settlers’ encroachments, and by aiding the Pilgrims, they could foster a relationship of mutual benefit and protection.
The 1621 feast was not just an expression of gratitude for a bountiful harvest but also a moment of cooperation between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag. They shared food that would later become staples of the Thanksgiving feast, including venison, wildfowl (such as turkey, although it’s debated whether turkey was served), corn, beans, squash, and berries. However, while the event has come to symbolize peace and mutual cooperation, the historical reality is more complex. The Wampanoag’s motives for helping the Pilgrims were strategic, and their relationship with European settlers would soon evolve into something far more fraught.
A Day of Thanksgiving: Religious Roots
The concept of “thanksgiving” itself is much older than the 1621 feast in Plymouth. Early European settlers, particularly the English Puritans, had a long tradition of fasting, prayer, and public days of thanks for good harvests or military victories. Days of thanksgiving were observed in New England as early as 1623, after a successful harvest. These observances, however, were different in tone from the 1621 feast; they were solemn occasions marked by religious observance, prayer, and reflection, rather than community celebrations.
The Pilgrims, being Puritans, believed that they had been divinely chosen to build a community based on religious principles. Their gratitude for the harvest was not only for the bounty they received but also for the opportunity to practice their religion freely. In this sense, Thanksgiving had a deeply religious connotation, with prayers of gratitude for the blessings that were believed to have been bestowed by God.
In addition, the idea of offering thanks to God for favorable outcomes in life—such as a good harvest or the end of a period of hardship—was a recurring theme throughout European history. In the context of the Pilgrims’ experience in Plymouth, their Thanksgiving was a way to acknowledge the divine intervention they believed had helped them survive the harsh conditions of the New World.
The Evolution of Thanksgiving Celebrations
A New England Tradition
Thanksgiving celebrations were initially confined to New England and were typically observed on different dates in different regions. Although there were sporadic observances of Thanksgiving in the early years of Plymouth Colony, the concept of a national day of thanksgiving did not emerge immediately. For much of the 17th and 18th centuries, Thanksgiving was not a regularly scheduled event. Instead, it was observed after particularly successful harvests or moments of divine favor, often as declared by religious leaders or colonial governments.
In the late 18th century, during and after the American Revolution, Thanksgiving continued to evolve. Days of thanksgiving were declared in various states to celebrate military victories or to offer thanks for the establishment of the new American government. However, these days were not universally recognized across the young United States, and there was little consistency regarding the timing or nature of the celebration.
Sarah Josepha Hale: The Crusader for Thanksgiving
A pivotal moment in the creation of Thanksgiving as a national holiday came in the 19th century, thanks to Sarah Josepha Hale, a prominent writer and editor. Hale, who is best known for writing the nursery rhyme “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” became a passionate advocate for making Thanksgiving a national holiday. In the 1840s and 1850s, she used her position as the editor of Godey’s Lady’s Book, a popular magazine at the time, to campaign for the establishment of Thanksgiving as a national event.
Hale’s reasoning was multifaceted. She believed that a national holiday would foster unity in a rapidly growing and divided country. In the years leading up to the Civil War, she argued that Thanksgiving could serve as a way to bring together a fractured nation. She also saw the holiday as an opportunity to promote American values such as gratitude, family, and harmony.
Hale’s efforts culminated in a letter-writing campaign to political leaders, including President Abraham Lincoln. In 1863, during the height of the Civil War, President Lincoln responded to Hale’s calls by issuing a proclamation that declared Thanksgiving a national holiday. Lincoln set the date for the last Thursday in November, emphasizing the importance of “thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.”
Thus, Thanksgiving became a national holiday in 1863, solidifying its place in American culture. It would be celebrated on the last Thursday of November each year, with an emphasis on gratitude and reflection.
Why Thanksgiving Was Celebrated: A Time for Gratitude
At its core, the original purpose of Thanksgiving was to give thanks. For the Pilgrims, the feast of 1621 marked a moment to express gratitude for a good harvest and the assistance of the Wampanoag people. For many early American settlers, it was a time to recognize divine providence and offer prayers of thanks for survival and prosperity in a challenging new world.
However, as the holiday evolved, the reasons for celebrating Thanksgiving expanded. It became a time for people to express gratitude not only for material blessings but also for family, community, and the values that helped build the nation. Thanksgiving celebrations were deeply intertwined with notions of unity, patriotism, and national identity. Over the years, the holiday became an occasion for reflection on what it meant to be an American, and how the struggles and triumphs of the past shaped the present and future.
The Impact of Colonialism on Thanksgiving
While Thanksgiving is often depicted as a moment of peaceful cooperation between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag, it is crucial to acknowledge the broader historical context of colonialism that shaped the relationships between European settlers and Indigenous peoples. The Wampanoag, like many Native American tribes, had been living on the land for thousands of years before the arrival of European settlers. The alliance formed in 1621 was short-lived, and the consequences of European colonization would have lasting and devastating effects on Indigenous communities.
After the initial cooperation in 1621, tensions between European settlers and Indigenous peoples began to rise. The settlers expanded their colonies, taking more and more land and resources from Native Americans. Over the next several decades, diseases brought by Europeans decimated Indigenous populations, and violent conflicts erupted as settlers encroached on Native lands. By the 17th century’s end, the Wampanoag had lost much of their power and territory.
Today, Thanksgiving is seen by many Indigenous peoples as a reminder of the long history of colonization and displacement. The holiday, while celebrated with feasts and festivities by many Americans, can also be a day of mourning and reflection for Native communities. Some view Thanksgiving as a symbol of the loss of ancestral lands, culture, and life caused by European settlers.
Modern-Day Celebrations and Cultural Reflections
Over time, Thanksgiving has evolved into a secular holiday characterized by family gatherings, parades, and, of course, the traditional meal of turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie. It has become a time for Americans to reflect on their blessings, express gratitude, and spend time with loved ones. For many, it marks the beginning of the holiday season, which culminates in Christmas and New Year’s celebrations.
However, the question of why Thanksgiving was originally celebrated remains an important one, especially in light of the cultural shifts and historical awareness that have taken place in recent decades. As awareness grows about the impact of colonialism on Indigenous communities, some have questioned the appropriateness of celebrating the holiday without acknowledging its complex and painful history.
For others, Thanksgiving has become a time to incorporate Indigenous perspectives, emphasizing themes of healing, reconciliation, and understanding. Some people choose to celebrate the holiday by honoring Native American history, culture, and contributions, and by advocating for the rights of Indigenous peoples.
Conclusion: Why Thanksgiving Was Celebrated
Thanksgiving was originally celebrated as a time for gratitude, primarily for a good harvest and the survival of European settlers in a new land. It was an occasion marked by religious devotion, marking the Pilgrims’ belief in divine providence. The holiday evolved into a national celebration under President Lincoln, reflecting the country’s desire for unity during a time of division. Today, Thanksgiving serves as a reminder to be thankful for life’s blessings, though it is also important to recognize the holiday’s colonial roots and the impact of European settlement on Indigenous peoples.
In celebrating Thanksgiving, it’s essential to reflect on both its historical significance and its cultural legacy, acknowledging the complex interplay of gratitude, cooperation, and the painful history of colonization. By doing so, we can ensure that the holiday is one of true reflection, unity, and understanding.
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