The History of Thanksgiving: A Story of Tradition, Evolution, and Reflection

States and Canada, its origins are both rich and complex. The story of Thanksgiving begins centuries ago, long before it became a national holiday, shaped by early European settlers, indigenous peoples, and evolving cultural practices. From its historical roots to its current form, the history of Thanksgiving reveals a fascinating journey of transformation, tradition, and a reminder of the human desire for unity, community, and giving thanks.

1. Early Beginnings: Indigenous Celebrations and Harvest Feasts

The history of Thanksgiving in North America does not begin with the Pilgrims in 1621, as many people might believe. Indigenous peoples across the continent had long celebrated harvests and seasonal changes long before Europeans arrived. These celebrations were deeply rooted in traditions of gratitude, community, and respect for nature.

For example, in what is now known as the northeastern United States, Native American tribes such as the Wampanoag, Mohican, and Narragansett had harvest festivals that honored the earth’s bounty. These events were not simply feasts but also rituals of giving thanks to the spirits and the natural world for providing food, shelter, and sustenance. The idea of coming together as a community to celebrate and reflect on the abundance of the harvest was an essential part of indigenous culture.

The Wampanoag people, in particular, had a long-standing tradition of engaging in feasts to mark the harvest. They relied on crops such as corn, beans, and squash — collectively known as the “Three Sisters” — which they grew in a symbiotic relationship with one another. Their agricultural knowledge was crucial to their way of life, and their harvest festivals were not only celebratory but spiritual, reflecting their deep connection with the land.

2. The Pilgrims and the First Thanksgiving: A Shared Meal of Survival

The most widely recognized event in the history of Thanksgiving, however, occurred in 1621 at Plymouth Colony, where a group of English settlers known as the Pilgrims celebrated their first successful harvest. These Pilgrims had arrived in the New World aboard the Mayflower the year before, facing a brutal winter that claimed the lives of nearly half their population. They had little knowledge of farming in the unfamiliar landscape and struggled to grow enough food to survive.

In the spring of 1621, the Wampanoag people, led by Chief Massasoit, helped the Pilgrims learn to grow corn, beans, and squash. They also taught them how to fish, hunt, and use the local environment to their advantage. In gratitude for the assistance they received, the Pilgrims invited the Wampanoag to join them in a three-day feast to celebrate the successful harvest.

This event is often referred to as the “First Thanksgiving.” While the Pilgrims and Wampanoag did not sit down to a meal that closely resembles the modern Thanksgiving spread, the spirit of gratitude and cooperation was evident. The foods shared during this early feast included venison, fowl (wild turkey and ducks), corn, beans, squash, seafood, and berries, as well as various native foods like pumpkins and wild fruits.

The feast was not just about food; it was a symbolic gesture of unity and mutual respect. The Pilgrims, who had endured tremendous hardships, expressed their gratitude to the Wampanoag for their help. The Wampanoag, in turn, were extending an olive branch of peace and acknowledging the bonds that were forming between the two groups. It was, in essence, a moment of shared humanity.

3. The Evolution of Thanksgiving: A Growing Tradition

After the 1621 feast, Thanksgiving became a sporadic event. The Pilgrims did not hold an annual Thanksgiving celebration, and the early American colonies had no consistent tradition of thanksgiving holidays. Over time, however, Thanksgiving became more established as a way to celebrate successful harvests and express gratitude for survival and prosperity.

In the 18th century, various American colonies held days of thanksgiving, but these events were not standardized. For example, in 1777, during the American Revolution, the Continental Congress declared a national day of thanksgiving to celebrate the victory at Saratoga. George Washington, too, proclaimed a day of thanksgiving after the successful end of the Revolution in 1789. But these celebrations were often tied to specific events and not a regular holiday.

It wasn’t until the 19th century that Thanksgiving began to take on a more universal, national character. The push for a national Thanksgiving holiday can be credited largely to Sarah Josepha Hale, a magazine editor and author, who campaigned for years to establish the holiday. Hale is perhaps best known for writing the nursery rhyme “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” but she also used her position to write numerous articles advocating for Thanksgiving. Her persistence paid off when, in 1863, President Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday, officially designating the fourth Thursday in November as a day for giving thanks.

The Civil War had left the country divided and in turmoil, and Lincoln hoped that a national day of gratitude would help unify the nation. His proclamation was meant to provide the American people with a moment to reflect on the blessings they still had, despite the horrors of war. Thanksgiving, Lincoln believed, could help heal the wounds of the nation and offer a shared moment of collective hope and renewal.

4. Thanksgiving as a National Holiday: Modern Traditions Emerge

Following Lincoln’s proclamation, Thanksgiving became an established holiday, but it continued to evolve. Over the years, new traditions began to emerge. The meal, once a simple feast of local ingredients, began to include a wider variety of dishes as Americans moved westward and developed new regional specialties. The traditional Thanksgiving turkey became central to the meal, possibly due to its availability and size, making it suitable for large gatherings. Alongside the turkey, dishes such as mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie became staple items on the Thanksgiving table.

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, which began in 1924, became another integral part of the holiday. The parade, with its massive balloons, floats, and performances, offered a way for families to come together and kick off the holiday season. It has since become a key tradition in the American celebration of Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving also saw its first commercialized celebration in the 20th century with the rise of retail sales and the onset of “Black Friday” shopping. As families gathered for Thanksgiving, retailers started to use the day as a launchpad for holiday sales, turning what was once a quiet, reflective day into a bustling shopping event.

5. Thanksgiving Today: A Time for Reflection and Giving Back

In modern times, Thanksgiving is widely recognized as a day to express gratitude and spend time with family and friends. While many still gather around a large meal, the significance of the holiday has shifted for some. For some, it is a chance to reflect on what they are thankful for, while for others, it is an opportunity to give back to their communities.

In many cities across the United States, volunteer organizations host community dinners for those who do not have a place to go or a meal to share. The spirit of giving and helping those in need is often emphasized during this time of year. The holiday is also increasingly focused on acts of kindness, whether that involves donating food, offering shelter, or spending time with the less fortunate.

However, Thanksgiving’s history is not without its controversies. As with many holidays that have historical roots in colonization, there are complex issues surrounding the celebration of Thanksgiving. For many Native Americans, the holiday represents a time of mourning and reflection on the painful history of colonization, displacement, and the loss of their traditional lands. The relationship between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag was not one of lasting peace, and the events following the first Thanksgiving would ultimately lead to the displacement and suffering of indigenous peoples.

Many Native Americans observe a “National Day of Mourning” on Thanksgiving, using the occasion to raise awareness of the injustices faced by indigenous communities and to honor their cultures and histories. This reflection has prompted many Americans to reconsider the holiday’s meaning and to incorporate a deeper understanding of its impact on indigenous peoples.

Conclusion: Thanksgiving, A Tradition in Flux

Thanksgiving’s journey from indigenous harvest festivals to a national holiday is a story of transformation, adaptation, and reflection. The holiday has evolved into a celebration of gratitude, unity, and family, but it is also a reminder of the complex histories that have shaped the land and its people. From the feast at Plymouth to the Macy’s Parade, Thanksgiving today is a blend of tradition, commerce, and contemplation.