The Origin of Thanksgiving Thanksgiving, Which Falls on the Fourth Thursday of November, Is a National Holiday in the United States

The Origin of Thanksgiving Thanksgiving, which falls on the fourth Thursday of November, is a national holiday in the United States. It is a day of celebration in recognition of the early settlers and the feast they shared with America’s first inhabitants, the Native Americans. Native Americans Evidence shows that the first inhabitants of North America crossed over from the Asian continent more than 11,000 years ago.

At the time of their migration, the last ice age was drawing to a close. America’s glaciers were melting and passage southward was becoming possible for people and animals. The land between Asia and North America was still crossable on foot because the post- ice age sea levels had not yet risen high enough to create the ocean that exists today.

So, while good migration conditions were upon them, North America’s first inhabitants migrated from East Asia in search of food and shelter.

Native American tribes prospered in their new land and over thousands of years, they became expert fishers, hunters, and harvesters. North America was a bountiful land, and they learned how to live in harmony with the natural world.

Native Americans had inhabited the East Coast for thousands of years when in the 1600s, the first European settlers arrived. Settlers In September 1620, a group of English Protestant settlers (men, women, and children) set sail across the Atlantic, with sights set firmly on a new life in the “New World.” Seeking separation from the Church of England, and in pursuit of a life of religious freedom, they became known as the Pilgrim Fathers, or simply, the Pilgrims.

The settlers’ ship, the Mayflower, landed on the Cape Cod shore in November 1620. There the settlers founded their first permanent home (Plymouth Colony) and set about taking ownership of their new world.

Although other Europeans had arrived in America before the landing of the Pilgrims, the earliest settlers’ history became largely overshadowed by the Pilgrims’ story — perhaps because the Pilgrims sought a life of greater freedom it resonated with the generations of “new Americans” that came after them.

Page 1 of 3 visit twinkl.com The Origin of Thanksgiving Knowledge & Skills Life in their new home came with many challenges. As winter wrapped its icy hands around the East Coast, the Pilgrims soon discovered how little they knew about surviving in this foreign land.

Fortunately, the Wampanoags (a Native American tribe from that region) came to the Pilgrims’ rescue and taught them how to farm and hunt in the unfamiliar terrain.

Tisquantum (informally known as “Squanto"), a Native American prized amongst Wampanoags for his knowledge of the English language, taught the Pilgrims how to grow corn and fertilize their fields.

The Pilgrims, recognizing the help they had received, and the Wampanoags, understanding the protection the settlers could offer them against other tribes and settlers, agreed to join together as part of a protective treaty. Giving Thanks In 1621, at the end of their first year in America, the Pilgrims hosted a great feast to toast their settlement success, and to honor the Wampanoags for their help.

That feast was quite a different affair to today’s Thanksgiving banquet of roast turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and pumpkin pie! The Pilgrims and the Wampanoags most likely feasted on an assortment of fowl (possibly turkey, but also duck, goose, and swan), venison, seafood (mussels, lobster, clams, and oysters), gourds (pumpkins and squash), nuts, and berries. Potatoes were not on the menu. Modern Thanksgiving Today, Thanksgiving is a celebration of feasting and giving thanks with family and friends. It is a national holiday spent gathered around a dinner table laden with mouth-watering holiday fare. It is the perfect opportunity for Americans to reflect on the life of freedom they lead. A life of liberty, set in motion, by the settlers who came seeking that same freedom many years ago.

Page 2 of 3 visit twinkl.com The Origin of Thanksgiving Questions 1. What is the purpose of the opening paragraph?

It provides the main idea of the text. It provides important information about Native Americans. It provides important information about the early settlers.

2. At the time of their first migration, what made it possible for the Native Americans to cross into North America?

The early settlers showed them the way. They built boats to cross the ocean. The land was still crossable on foot.

3. In the sentence “Native American tribes prospered in their new land,” what does the word “prospered” mean?

They struggled to survive. They needed lots of help. They did well for themselves.

4. The Pilgrims were "in pursuit of a life of religious freedom." What does that mean?

They didn't want to follow any religion. They wanted the freedom to choose the religion they followed. They wanted to learn about other religions.

5. Why was Squanto "prized amongst the Wampanoags?” Give details from the text.

6. Why did the Pilgrims host a great feast in 1621? Give details from the text.

Page 3 of 3 visit twinkl.com The Origin of Thanksgiving Answers 1. What is the purpose of the opening paragraph?