The first Thanksgiving took place in 1621 in Massachusetts.  Those who attended were the Plymouth colonists, also known as the Pilgrims, and the Wampanoag Indians.  The holiday actually started as an autumn harvest feast, but for decades colonies and states began making their own traditions and days of Thanksgiving.  However, in 1863 President Abraham Lincoln made Thanksgiving an official holiday, and it has been celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November ever since.

Today, the Thanksgiving meal usually consists of such items as turkey, stuffing, green beans, corn, potatoes, peas, cranberry sauce, and apple cider.  Apple pie and pumpkin pie are popular desserts served.  Although these are the traditional foods eaten during this holiday, they are not very accurate to what the Pilgrims and Indians probably would have eaten.  Some foods that more than likely would have been on the menu include:

• Deer
• Corn
• Shellfish
• Eel
• Lobster
• Onions
• Pumpkins

Many of the foods they ate, such as corn and turkey, people eat today, but the food was probably served much differently.  Interesting enough, the corn was not good when eaten from the cob, so it was made into cornmeal which was used to make cornbread or pudding.

Many families have their own traditions on Thanksgiving Day:

Nicole B (‘14):  “My family and I usually go to my aunt’s house for dinner.  However, this year we are going to my cousin’s house because they have two little children and it would be a big hassle to have to run back and forth with them.  We all agreed it would just be easier to eat Thanksgiving dinner at their house this year.  Even though it’s breaking tradition, the whole family will still be there and it will still be a lot of fun!”

Erin S (‘15): “I will be running in the Turkey Trot which is a 5K marathon.  After the marathon, I usually watch the Thanksgiving Day parade with my family.”

Vicky K (‘12): “My family and I go to New York to visit my great-aunt.  My mom’s side of the family all meets up for dinner.  There are so many secret recipes that go into the dinner and that is what makes it so special!”

Whether Thanksgiving is spent at relatives’ houses or at home, it is a day meant for giving thanks to God for all of your blessings and celebrating being together as a family.  HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO EVERYONE!