The First Thanksgiving
A helping hand: The First Thanksgiving.
The first Thanksgiving would not have been possible without a native man named Squanto.
As the Pilgrims struggled to build a community and prepare for another winter, Squanto was introduced to them by another Native American named Samoset. Both Squanto and Samoset spoke English, and Squanto was told to help the Pilgrims.
In the fall of 1621, the Pilgrims engaged in a feast to give thanks,
which today we remember as the first Thanksgiving.
The Pilgrims who gathered together to celebrate had a lot to be grateful for. They thanked God for their arrival in the New World, their freedom to worship, and their lives. They thanked God for the bountiful harvest and for their new friends, the Native Americans, who joined in the feast.
In 1789, America’s first president, President George Washington, issued a proclamation that called for a national day of thanks.
This established Thanksgiving, which our country celebrates every year on the last Thursday of November.
So next time you gather around the Thanksgiving table with your family, friends, and loved ones, take a moment to remember the historical significance of this holiday. It is a day that brings us together by setting aside a special time to gather and thank God for all of the blessings that we have as Americans.
Little Patriots
