Thanksgiving is one of the most celebrated holidays in the United States, representing not only a time for families and friends to gather but also an event steeped in deep historical and cultural significance. While most people associate Thanksgiving with the famous 1621 meal shared by the Pilgrims and Native Americans, the holiday has evolved over the centuries to become a national tradition marked by a blend of myths, political proclamations, and varying cultural influences.
Early Beginnings: Harvest Festivals Across Cultures
Long before the Pilgrims ever set foot in America, many cultures had celebrated the harvest season with feasts and rituals of gratitude. In ancient societies, the completion of the harvest was a time for people to give thanks to deities, spirits, or forces of nature that they believed had helped ensure their survival. These celebrations often involved communal meals, religious rites, and social gatherings.
In Europe, the tradition of celebrating the harvest can be traced to pagan festivals. The Greeks honored Demeter, the goddess of agriculture, while the Romans celebrated Ceres, their own goddess of the harvest. Both of these festivals involved lavish banquets and offerings to the gods in gratitude for a successful growing season.
The English also had their own traditions. Known as “Harvest Home” in England, this event was marked by the gathering of crops and was accompanied by large feasts in which everyone participated. These early English harvest festivals carried religious undertones but were primarily social occasions, offering respite from the hard labor of farming.
By the time European settlers began colonizing North America, the tradition of harvest celebrations had already been well established in their home countries. However, it was in this new and unknown world that these traditions would merge with local influences and eventually evolve into the Thanksgiving holiday we recognize today.
The Pilgrims and the First Thanksgiving in 1621
The most widely acknowledged beginning of Thanksgiving in America is the feast shared by the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Native Americans in 1621. This event, commonly referred to as the “First Thanksgiving,” has been memorialized in American folklore, though its actual details are somewhat different from the romanticized versions taught in school textbooks.
In 1620, a group of English Separatists known as Pilgrims, fleeing religious persecution in England, sailed aboard the Mayflower to the New World. After a harrowing journey, they arrived in what is now Plymouth, Massachusetts. Their first winter was devastating, with many succumbing to disease and malnutrition. However, by the following spring, the Pilgrims had formed an alliance with the Wampanoag tribe, whose members helped them cultivate corn and taught them how to survive in the harsh environment.
The successful harvest of 1621 was a pivotal moment for the Pilgrims, who were grateful for their survival and the newfound friendship with the Native Americans. To celebrate their harvest, the Pilgrims organized a three-day feast, inviting the Wampanoag leader, Massasoit, and about 90 of his people. While this gathering is often cited as the first Thanksgiving, it was not initially a religious or official holiday, nor did it mark the beginning of an annual tradition at the time.
Interestingly, historical records from that event describe the food served as very different from what Americans today associate with Thanksgiving. Instead of turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie, the feast likely included venison, fowl, corn, nuts, and shellfish. The meal was a true reflection of the local resources available at that time.
The Evolution of Thanksgiving: From New England to National Holiday
Following the 1621 feast, Thanksgiving did not become an annual event. The Pilgrims occasionally held days of thanks, but these were more often religious observances called for by church leaders in response to specific events such as droughts, successful harvests, or military victories.
Throughout the 17th century, various colonies in New England celebrated days of thanksgiving in a variety of ways, but it was not yet a formal or widely observed holiday across the continent. As more settlers arrived and the colonies grew, these days of thanks were declared irregularly, depending on local events.
However, it was in New England, especially in the Puritan communities, that the concept of a Thanksgiving holiday began to crystallize. The Puritans, who arrived in New England after the Pilgrims, regularly held days of fasting and thanksgiving as part of their religious practices. These observances typically followed moments of hardship or success and were deeply rooted in their belief that God’s providence determined the course of their lives.
It wasn’t until the late 18th century that Thanksgiving began to take on a more standardized form. During the American Revolution, the Continental Congress declared several days of national thanksgiving in response to military victories or moments of national importance. In 1789, following the ratification of the United States Constitution, President George Washington issued the first national Thanksgiving proclamation, calling for a day of prayer and thanks for the successful conclusion of the war and the establishment of the new government.
Washington’s proclamation helped to cement the idea of Thanksgiving as a national event, though it was still observed intermittently. Over the next several decades, Thanksgiving was celebrated sporadically in different states, with most of the observance confined to New England. Other parts of the country, particularly in the South, did not widely embrace the holiday at first.
Sarah Josepha Hale and the Campaign for a National Holiday
One of the most significant figures in the history of Thanksgiving is Sarah Josepha Hale, a 19th-century writer and editor best known for her nursery rhyme “Mary Had a Little Lamb.” In the 1840s, Hale embarked on a decades-long campaign to establish Thanksgiving as a national holiday. She believed that a day of gratitude and reflection would help unify the nation and foster a sense of common identity.
Hale used her influence as editor of “Godey’s Lady’s Book,” one of the most popular magazines of the time, to advocate for Thanksgiving. She wrote countless letters to politicians and published numerous articles promoting the idea of a national day of thanks. Her tireless efforts eventually caught the attention of President Abraham Lincoln, who, in 1863, issued a Thanksgiving proclamation calling for a national day of thanks to be observed on the last Thursday of November.
Lincoln’s decision to proclaim a national Thanksgiving came in the midst of the Civil War, a time when the country was deeply divided. His proclamation framed Thanksgiving as a means of healing and national unity, offering a moment of reflection amidst the chaos of war. The holiday was now official, and its observance began to spread across the nation.
Thanksgiving in the 20th Century: Tradition and Transformation
By the early 20th century, Thanksgiving had become an established tradition in the United States, though its specific customs and observances varied from region to region. While the core of the holiday—a meal with family and friends—remained constant, the foods served and the way the day was celebrated evolved over time.
Turkey, which had not been the central dish at the original 1621 feast, became the symbol of Thanksgiving largely due to its promotion in 19th-century cookbooks and media. Other foods commonly associated with the holiday, such as cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin pie, also became staples during this period. These dishes were popularized in part by women’s magazines and cookbooks, which helped standardize the menu across the country.
In addition to the meal, Thanksgiving parades became a popular tradition in the early 20th century. The most famous of these is the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which began in 1924. Originally intended as a promotional event for the Macy’s department store, the parade quickly became an iconic Thanksgiving tradition, drawing millions of spectators both in person and on television.
Football also became closely associated with Thanksgiving during the 20th century. The tradition of playing football on Thanksgiving dates back to the late 19th century, with high schools and colleges organizing games to celebrate the holiday. By the mid-20th century, the NFL had adopted Thanksgiving as a key date on its calendar, with teams like the Detroit Lions and the Dallas Cowboys playing annual games on Thanksgiving Day.
However, not all changes to the holiday were met without controversy. In 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt made the decision to move Thanksgiving up by a week, hoping that an earlier celebration would provide a longer shopping season before Christmas, thereby boosting the economy. This decision, known as “Franksgiving,” was widely unpopular and led to confusion, as some states observed the holiday on the new date while others stuck to the traditional last Thursday in November. In 1941, Congress officially settled the matter by passing a law that fixed Thanksgiving as the fourth Thursday in November, where it remains today.
Cultural and Political Debates Surrounding Thanksgiving
As Thanksgiving became more ingrained in American culture, it also became a subject of debate and reflection, particularly regarding its origins and the relationship between Native Americans and European settlers. For many Native Americans, Thanksgiving represents a complicated and painful history. While the 1621 feast is often portrayed as a peaceful moment of cooperation between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag, the years that followed were marked by violence, displacement, and the decimation of Native American populations due to disease and conflict.
In 1970, on the 350th anniversary of the Pilgrims’ arrival, Native American activists established the National Day of Mourning, held on Thanksgiving Day, as a way to draw attention to the impact of colonization on indigenous peoples. The National Day of Mourning continues to be observed by some Native Americans as a counter-narrative to the traditional Thanksgiving story, focusing on remembrance and resistance.
At the same time, Thanksgiving has also become a holiday that many Americans of diverse backgrounds have embraced. Immigrants and non-Christians have adopted the holiday as a time to celebrate with family and friends, often incorporating their own cultural traditions into the meal and observance. This ability to adapt and change has allowed Thanksgiving to endure as a uniquely American holiday, celebrated by a wide array of people with different backgrounds, beliefs, and traditions. As it has evolved, Thanksgiving has retained its central themes of gratitude, family, and togetherness, while also becoming a reflection of the diverse nature of American society.
Thanksgiving in Modern Times: Commercialization and Global Influence
In the 20th and 21st centuries, Thanksgiving has not only grown in significance but has also become a highly commercialized event. The holiday now serves as a precursor to the Christmas shopping season, with the day after Thanksgiving, known as Black Friday, marking the beginning of a frenzy of consumer activity. Retailers offer steep discounts, and shoppers flock to stores, often camping out overnight to secure deals on electronics, clothing, and other products. Black Friday has become such a major event that it is now regarded as one of the biggest shopping days of the year, sometimes overshadowing Thanksgiving itself.
In recent years, this trend has expanded globally, with countries outside the U.S. adopting Black Friday sales despite not celebrating Thanksgiving. The global spread of American culture, particularly through media and multinational corporations, has led to Thanksgiving being recognized, if not celebrated, in places like Canada, the United Kingdom, and even parts of Asia. While the holiday’s original context may be lost, the commercial aspect of the season has proven highly influential.
Despite the commercialization of Thanksgiving, many Americans continue to hold the holiday dear, focusing on its original themes. Charity organizations often use Thanksgiving as a time to promote giving back to the community, organizing food drives and free meals for the less fortunate. It’s a time when many families donate to causes they care about or volunteer at shelters to help provide meals for those in need.
Thanksgiving has also been embraced by diverse cultural and immigrant groups in the U.S., who often blend traditional Thanksgiving foods with dishes from their home countries. This has resulted in an even more diverse holiday, where alongside turkey and pumpkin pie, one might find dishes from Latin America, Africa, Asia, or the Middle East, adding a rich multicultural dimension to the celebration.
Thanksgiving in the Context of American Identity and Values
Thanksgiving’s enduring popularity in the U.S. speaks to its ability to resonate with core aspects of American identity. It reflects themes that are deeply embedded in the national psyche, such as gratitude, resilience, and the importance of community. The holiday’s historical narrative, though often simplified, celebrates the Pilgrims’ perseverance and their spirit of cooperation with the Native Americans, symbolizing the ideal of coming together despite differences.
However, the holiday has also sparked deeper reflection on the darker aspects of American history. The traditional Thanksgiving story omits the suffering of Native Americans in the wake of European colonization. The narrative of unity between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag is contrasted by the centuries of displacement, violence, and cultural erasure that Native American communities faced. This has led to a broader conversation about how history is remembered and celebrated, prompting some Americans to reevaluate the meaning of the holiday.
In response, many Native American activists and scholars have worked to educate the public about the true history behind Thanksgiving, highlighting the complexities of early colonial relations and advocating for greater recognition of indigenous perspectives. The establishment of the National Day of Mourning on Thanksgiving Day provides an alternative commemoration, focusing on remembrance and awareness of the historical injustices faced by Native Americans.
At the same time, Thanksgiving remains a unifying event for many, especially during times of national difficulty. Following tragedies or periods of hardship, the holiday offers an opportunity for Americans to come together, set aside differences, and reflect on what they are thankful for. During the Great Depression, World War II, and the COVID-19 pandemic, Thanksgiving was seen as a moment to foster hope and resilience, underscoring the holiday’s deep connection to American values of perseverance and community.