Elly
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Posts: 29,887
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Post by Elly on Nov 24, 2005 17:48:10 GMT 10
hope you all have a wonderful day with family and friends The History of Thanksgiving The Wampanoag Indians When the Pilgrims first landed in Plymouth, Massachusetts in Dec. 26, 1620, it was the day after Christmas. Those who know Massachusetts winters realize that this was just about the worst time to land, with frozen land, no food, and bitter snows coming shortly. The ship had carried 102 passengers, and about half of the Pilgrims died during this first winter. Still, that even some of them survived was thanks to the native Wampanoag Indians, who met up with them soon after they landed. The Wampanoags lived in small villages along the coastline of both Massachusetts and Rhode Island. They fished, farmed, and were generally peaceful and friendly. They lived in wigwams, and wore deerskin outfits. Squanto The Indian which helped the Pilgrims the most was "Squanto", who had visited England before and knew how to speak English and work with these visitors. His ability to communicate with the Pilgrims and show them how to survive in this harsh winter was key to their survival. The First Thanksgiving The pilgrims invited their two key Indian helpers, Squanto, Samoset, plus Chief Massasoit, to share in their Thanksgiving since they had been so instrumental in the pilgrims´ successes that summer. The Indians brought their families, numbering over 90 people. The pilgrims were overwhelmed, and didn´t have enough food, so the Indians brought along their own supplies for the feast. The Wampanoags brought turkey, deer, berries, squash, cornbread, and beans - things that they'd farmed and that they'd shown the Pilgrims how to care for. Cultural Differences The Wampanoag Indians normally ate sitting on the ground, on furs. For this special occasion, they sat at the tables with the Pilgrims. The Indian women and men both ate together. Pilgrim women didn´t have this equal status though - they had to stand behind their menfolk, dutifully waiting until the men were done and full before they were allowed to eat anything. The Spread of Thanksgiving Many states began having their own Thanksgiving celebrations in the fall, to give thanks for bountiful harvests. Abraham Lincoln made it official, and set aside the third Thursday as the national holiday in 1863.
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Post by LLady on Nov 24, 2005 18:01:04 GMT 10
Thanks for the holiday wishes elly, and for the bit of history behind the whole thing.
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Elly
Administrator
Posts: 29,887
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Post by Elly on Nov 24, 2005 18:14:46 GMT 10
Yes it`s interesting, I always thought it was a bit like our `Harvest Sundays` at home where all the Sunday school children take a bit of fruit and vegetable to be distibuted amongst the old folk, but there is quite a history behind it all, thought I would post it for folks like me that didnae know about it, but history aside it`s a wondeful time for families and friends, all enjoy. A wonderful day to Jacqui, Roper, Gale, Megan and Elizabeth and any others who are celebrating. #ssmile#
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Post by dreamy on Nov 24, 2005 19:02:06 GMT 10
Thank you for the history of "Thanksgiving" to remind us of the origins of this holiday. This is why November is also Native American month in the USA. HAPPY THANKSGIVING to all of you who are celebrating; enjoy your turkey meals and the time you spend with family and friends!
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Post by andi on Nov 24, 2005 19:18:15 GMT 10
Happy Thanksgiving to you all! #wave#
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Post by LLady on Nov 24, 2005 22:52:01 GMT 10
Thank you for the history of "Thanksgiving" to remind us of the origins of this holiday. This is why November is also Native American month in the USA. HAPPY THANKSGIVING to all of you who are celebrating; enjoy your turkey meals and the time you spend with family and friends! How interestin dreamy! I've never heard of Native American Month. It must be regional and not national.
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Post by LLady on Nov 24, 2005 23:18:05 GMT 10
My sister Val is a flower in today big Thaksgiving Parade! #ssmile#
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Post by dreamy on Nov 25, 2005 2:06:34 GMT 10
Thank you for the history of "Thanksgiving" to remind us of the origins of this holiday. This is why November is also Native American month in the USA. HAPPY THANKSGIVING to all of you who are celebrating; enjoy your turkey meals and the time you spend with family and friends! How interestin dreamy! I've never heard of Native American Month. It must be regional and not national. Here is a link with a bit of info, LLady. www.infoplease.com/spot/aihmorigins1.html
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Post by smudger on Nov 25, 2005 4:31:05 GMT 10
To all in the States who are celebrating this day have a great day with your families and all your friends
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Post by LLady on Nov 25, 2005 4:46:15 GMT 10
Very cool dreamy, thanks!
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Post by LLady on Nov 25, 2005 4:47:53 GMT 10
To all in the States who are celebrating this day have a great day with your families and all your friends Thanks smudger!
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Post by krystal on Nov 25, 2005 12:06:53 GMT 10
have a wonderful day everyone #wave#
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