1621
Pilgrim Feast in Plymouth, the New Land
Natives and pilgrims sit down at the table
In the 1600s, British colonials were making claims of the new land in North America. In September 1620, a relatively small vessel named the Mayflower set off from Plymouth, England. Onboard were around 100 souls, many of which were religious separatists looking to practice their faith freely, while others were seeking a new life of prosperity, claiming land of their own. The Pilgrims to whom they would be known took to establishing their own settlement naming it Plymouth. How original! The Pilgrims suffered badly through their first winter, some dying from exposure and disease. As March approached, the pilgrims ventured inland, where they were greeted by a native American of the Abenaki tribe, who surprised the settlers by speaking English. Returning with another English-speaking native named Squanto, a relationship was formed, exchanging methods to cultivate their new land, growing corn, collecting maple sap, and even fishing. Things went so great they even established an alliance with another local tribe called the Wampanoag. The final nail that secured the bromance was the day the corn was harvested. To say thanks, William Bradford organized a harvest feast, and the natives sat down with them to celebrate the harvest, thus dedicating a day, giving thanks to the Lord after reaping the fruits of his labor, the first Thanksgiving.