The First Thanksgiving is commonly associated with a harvest feast shared between the English colonists (Pilgrims) of Plymouth Colony and the Wampanoag people in the autumn of 1621. This event is often seen as the origin of the modern American Thanksgiving holiday.
Historical Context
After a harsh winter that claimed nearly half of their number, the surviving Pilgrims received crucial help from local Native Americans, particularly Squanto, who taught them how to cultivate corn, fish, and gather local resources. Their successful harvest in the fall led Governor William Bradford to organize a celebratory feast.
The Feast
The three-day celebration included around 50 Pilgrims and 90 Wampanoag guests, led by Chief Massasoit. While the exact menu is unknown, historical accounts suggest they ate venison, wildfowl (possibly including turkey), corn, shellfish, and other seasonal foods.
Legacy
Although this 1621 gathering was not called “Thanksgiving” at the time—colonists used the term for solemn days of prayer—it became symbolic over time. Thanksgiving did not become a national U.S. holiday until President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed it in 1863 during the Civil War.