A Potted History of Thanksgiving in the US

In 1621, pilgrims travelling from England onboard the Mayflower landed on Plymouth Rock in Massachusetts.  The first few years for these pilgrims was difficult, as the strange lands of the East Coast failed to yield sufficient crops to sustain them.  Many of the original settlers did not survive.  

The traditional Thanksgiving celebration originates from the feast that the pilgrims shared with the Wampanoag Indians after the indigenous people taught the Pilgrims how to farm and cultivate the land.  The first Thanksgiving feast was held over a number of days to celebrate the Pilgrim’s first successful harvest in their new home. 

The holiday was originally one that developed as a result of anti-English sentiment, and became increasing popular in the United States up until the mid-nineteenth century.  In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln declared that a national day of Thanksgiving would take place on the last Thursday of November, however, President Franklin Roosevelt declared that Thanksgiving would instead be held on the third Thursday of November, with the holiday becoming a Federal holiday two years later in 1941.

 The Thanksgiving Table

Food is an integral part of any Thanksgiving celebration, and Turkey takes centre stage amongst a number of other delicious dishes such as Marshmallow Pie, Cornbread Stuffing, Popovers and Pumpkin Pie.

Child’s Play

Having two young guests for the first time meant that we needed to have some form of entertainment ready for them.  Balloon ship races were held, along with an M&M “build a turkey” game.

HAPPY TURKEY DAY!!

Printables purchased from Etsy store: Pretty Little Papers