Joshua Eastin
Block D
11/28/2018
Open-Note Research Article
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| Depiction of 'First Thanksgiving' |
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Similar to the legend of the American Cowboy the fantasy of the first Thanksgiving, often mistaken as
fact, is far from the truth. The myth persisted through modern day due to a combination of cultural
tradition,political agenda, and corporate influence. There are aspect of the legend which are true; there was a
harvest celebration in Plymouth in the 1620’s in which indians from the Wampanoag tribe attended, and it
is possible, although unlikely, that turkey was served during the feast. However, this is where the truth
deviates from the common story. While there was a celebration the reason for it was not to give thanks,
instead it was to celebrate a successful harvest. The New York Times says that this kind of festival
wasn’t unique and was a common occurrence. The Wampanoag tribe were likely just neighbors who
joined the gathering and weren’t formally invited. The pilgrims at the time were just enjoying a
common celebration, unaware of how this event would be viewed in the future.
fact, is far from the truth. The myth persisted through modern day due to a combination of cultural
tradition,political agenda, and corporate influence. There are aspect of the legend which are true; there was a
harvest celebration in Plymouth in the 1620’s in which indians from the Wampanoag tribe attended, and it
is possible, although unlikely, that turkey was served during the feast. However, this is where the truth
deviates from the common story. While there was a celebration the reason for it was not to give thanks,
instead it was to celebrate a successful harvest. The New York Times says that this kind of festival
wasn’t unique and was a common occurrence. The Wampanoag tribe were likely just neighbors who
joined the gathering and weren’t formally invited. The pilgrims at the time were just enjoying a
common celebration, unaware of how this event would be viewed in the future.
The Thanksgiving day celebration has its roots as far back as the late 1700’s when the some of
the founding fathers attempted to make the already popular holiday into a national holiday. It was
not allowed primarily due to Jefferson objecting because of the religions connotations of the
holiday in what was to be a secular government. This shows that people were celebrating
Thanksgiving long before it was recognized as a national holiday. Although at this time the
holiday wasn’t associated with the Plymouth festival and it had different traditions depending on
where it was being celebrated. Some of the local traditions of Thanksgiving found their way
into other modern holidays. Local culture eventually brought the story of the ‘First Thanksgiving’
in the public when in 1830 New Englanders believed it resembled their thanksgiving traditions.
Finally how Thanksgiving became a national holiday can be attributed to the Civil War. In a time
the founding fathers attempted to make the already popular holiday into a national holiday. It was
not allowed primarily due to Jefferson objecting because of the religions connotations of the
holiday in what was to be a secular government. This shows that people were celebrating
Thanksgiving long before it was recognized as a national holiday. Although at this time the
holiday wasn’t associated with the Plymouth festival and it had different traditions depending on
where it was being celebrated. Some of the local traditions of Thanksgiving found their way
into other modern holidays. Local culture eventually brought the story of the ‘First Thanksgiving’
in the public when in 1830 New Englanders believed it resembled their thanksgiving traditions.
Finally how Thanksgiving became a national holiday can be attributed to the Civil War. In a time
where the nation was devastated and divided Abraham Lincoln enacted the holiday for unity and
thankfulness. Unity because of how people of both North and South could celebrate the new
holiday. Thankfulness to thank the veterans of the Civil War in the famous battles of the war.
In Fact the early years of the holiday likely resembled veterans day with a focus on military
thanks and thanks to a nation rather than thanks to friends and family. As the years progressed
into the 1900’s the holiday began to take shape transitioning into the holiday we are all familiar
with.
thankfulness. Unity because of how people of both North and South could celebrate the new
holiday. Thankfulness to thank the veterans of the Civil War in the famous battles of the war.
In Fact the early years of the holiday likely resembled veterans day with a focus on military
thanks and thanks to a nation rather than thanks to friends and family. As the years progressed
into the 1900’s the holiday began to take shape transitioning into the holiday we are all familiar
with.
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