Myths and Facts about Thanksgiving’s Origins
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What is the true story of Thanksgiving?
Myth:
The well known feast shared with the Wampanoag Indians and the first mention of Thanksgiving are the same event.
During the first winter here for the pilgrims, in 1621, 46 of the 102 pilgrims actually died. It as the next year , with the help of the Wampanoag Indians that resulted in a plentiful harvest. That feast the second year after they landed, included 90 natives One of the most celebrated of those natives was a Wampanoag who the settlers called Squanto. He taught the pilgrims where to fish and hunt and where to plant New World crops like corn and squash. He also helped negotiate a treaty between the pilgrims and chief Massasoit.
The next recorded day of Thanksgiving occurred in 1631 when a ship full of supplies that was feared to be lost at sea actually pulled into Boston Harbor. Governor Bradford again ordered a day of Thanksgiving and prayer.
Myth:
Turkey was prepared at the first Thanksgiving with the pilgrims and Indians.
Fact:
This first feast included many fowl and venison, corn, and pumpkin, but there is no record of turkey being served. though it is not certain that it included turkey, along with venison, corn, and pumpkin. The whole feast was prepared by four women settlers and two teenage girls.
Source: http://americanhistory.about.com/od/holidays/a/thanksgiving.htm
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