Did You Know?

More Fun Thanksgiving Facts!

• The date of the First Thanksgiving is not precisely known though it occured between September 21 and November 9, 1621.


• The Plymouth Pilgrims dined with the Wampanoag Indians for the First Thanksgiving.
  The First Thanksgiving lasted for three days.


• According to Edward Winslow, a participant in the First Thanksgiving, the feast bconsisted of: Corn, Barley, Fowl including Wild Turkeys and Waterfowl, Venison.


• 52 Pilgrims attended the 'First Thanksgiving' in 1621 including: John Alden, William Bradford,Priscilla Mullins, Miles Standish.


• Approximately 50 Native Americans attended the 'First Thanksgiving' including:
  Massasoit, Squanto - the Pilgrim's Translator.


• This 'First Thanksgiving' was actually a secular event that was not repeated. A Calvinist Thanksgiving actually did occur in 1623 and did not involve sharing food with the Native Americans.


• The first National celebration of Thanksgiving was declared in 1777 by the Continental Congress. However, this was not an annual event.


• In 1863, two national days of Thanksgiving were declared:
  One celebrated the Union victory at Gettysburg, The other created the Thanksgiving holiday we still celebrate today.


• Each year, the President declares a day of National Thanksgiving.