For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal live. John 3:16 (NIV)

Throughout history, the celebration of a bountiful harvest has been an annual occurrence. Harvest festivals have been a tradition among all nations and races. The Greeks, Egyptians, Romans, Chinese, and Hebrews have all had harvest celebrations, even before organized religion came to be. In America, the first Thanksgiving celebration took place in 1621. The Native Americans shared this event with the Pilgrims because the Pilgrims had learned to plant crops and hunt wild game in the New World according to Native American culture. Without the help of the Native Americans, the colonists would have not survived their first winter nor would they have harvested bountiful crops.

The early Thanksgiving celebrations in America were not known as "Thanksgiving". There were harvest celebrations that did not include what are staples in modern times such as cranberry sauce, turkey, and pumpkin pie. It is entirely possible that wild fowl including turkey and duck were served, but turkey did not hold the sacred place it holds now. It is thought that seafood was a major component of the harvest celebration due to the colonist's proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. There could have been seasonal vegetables such as squash included in the festivities, but side dishes did play a major role in the feast. Also, desserts such as pies and cakes were most likely not included due to a lack of sugar and obviously, there were no ovens in which to bake them....more...

Is what we celebrate in America today based on fact or myth? Did the pilgrims and the Native Americans really have a peaceful relationship that lead to a beautiful sharing feast? What primary documents exist to document the historical event?

Dispelling the myths and finding out what historians have to say on this topic is one of my favorite lessons of the Thanksgiving season. Share a comprehensive website that helps illustrate and teach the history behind the holiday.

Even the opening of the website can be dramatic and you can add drama by reading it in a voice that gets the attention of the students. Then, imagine your trip in the time machine back to 1621....more...

Web Thanksgiving on the Net

More Thanksgiving Dirt On Squanto And The Pilgrims by Bill Heid
Thanksgiving Day - Cowboys Football by Rick Bedard
Thanksgiving - Fact Or Myth? ...Children...investigate...Thanksgiving by Kathy Cothran
The History of Thanksgiving by Angela Tyler
Top Ten Reasons Thanksgiving is Really the Most Wonderful Time of Year by Colin Joss