9 Shocking Facts About the True History of Thanksgiving

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Thanksgiving was sold to us as a warm, idyllic story: Pilgrims and Native Americans coming together to feast and give thanks. But the reality behind this holiday is far more complex—and frankly, unsettling. Much of what we were taught about Thanksgiving is either exaggerated, sanitized, or outright false. As we reflect on this day, it’s crucial to understand the history behind it and the stories that often go untold. Here are 9 facts about the true history of Thanksgiving:


The First Thanksgiving Wasn’t the First

a photo of the supposed first thanksgiving

Wikimedia Commons

The 1621 feast between Pilgrims and the Wampanoag people is often described as the "First Thanksgiving," but it wasn’t the first gathering of its kind. Indigenous communities had been holding harvest celebrations for centuries before European settlers arrived. These celebrations were deeply spiritual, honoring the earth’s bounty and the interconnectedness of life. The Pilgrims’ feast was one moment among many, not the origin of the Thanksgiving tradition.

The 1621 Feast Wasn’t About “Giving Thanks”

a picture of the Wampanoag and the Pilgrims having dinneren.m.wikipedia.org

The Pilgrims’ three-day gathering with the Wampanoag wasn’t focused on gratitude the way modern Thanksgiving is portrayed. It was primarily a harvest celebration, and its significance to the Pilgrims was more practical than sentimental. The Wampanoag, led by Chief Massasoit, provided food and assistance to the struggling colonists, but the event wasn’t framed as an annual tradition—or even a particularly peaceful one.

The Wampanoag Paid a Heavy Price for Their Generosity

a picture of the Wampanoag and  rhe Pilgrims together

Wikimedia Commons

While the Wampanoag initially helped the Pilgrims survive harsh winters by teaching them how to grow crops and sharing their food, this relationship didn’t last. Within a generation, English settlers had seized Wampanoag land, decimated their population through disease, and waged war against them. The very people who made the Pilgrims’ survival possible were later displaced and oppressed, a fact that’s rarely acknowledged in the Thanksgiving narrative.

Thanksgiving Became a National Holiday for Political Reasons

a table with cutlery and a napkin with the statue of libertyPhoto by Dyana Wing So on Unsplash

Thanksgiving didn’t become a national holiday until 1863—more than two centuries after the 1621 feast. President Abraham Lincoln declared it a federal holiday during the Civil War, hoping to unite a deeply divided country. This proclamation wasn’t about honoring Native American contributions or reflecting on shared history; it was a political move designed to foster unity among the Union states.

The Myth of a Peaceful Meal Erases Violence

a group of people toasting on thanksgivingPhoto by krakenimages on Unsplash

The story of Thanksgiving often glosses over the reality of colonization. In the decades following the Pilgrims’ arrival, conflicts like King Philip’s War erupted, resulting in the deaths of thousands of Indigenous people. The Wampanoag and other tribes suffered massacres, forced relocations, and cultural erasure. The sanitized Thanksgiving myth erases these violent truths, creating a false image of harmony between settlers and Native Americans.

Thanksgiving Has Roots in Suppression

illustration of colonizationes.m.wikipedia.org

In 1637, years after the so-called "First Thanksgiving," Massachusetts Bay Colony Governor John Winthrop declared a day of thanksgiving—not to celebrate a feast, but to mark the massacre of 700 Pequot men, women, and children during the Pequot War. For some Indigenous people, the holiday represents a legacy of violence and colonization rather than unity and gratitude.

Native Americans Observe a National Day of Mourning

flags on green grass field under white cloudy sky during daytimePhoto by Tanner Ross on Unsplash

For many Indigenous communities, Thanksgiving is not a day of celebration but a day of mourning. Since 1970, the United American Indians of New England have held an annual National Day of Mourning on Thanksgiving Day in Plymouth, Massachusetts. This event honors Indigenous ancestors and highlights the ongoing struggles Native communities face, from land rights to systemic inequality.

The “Turkey and Pilgrims” Story Was Created for Children

a table with food and drinks on itPhoto by Noah Samuel Franz on Unsplash

The cheerful, oversimplified version of Thanksgiving featuring Pilgrims in buckled hats and Native Americans in feathered headdresses was largely created for school curriculums and popular culture. This narrative gained traction in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, promoting a feel-good version of American history. It was designed to create a shared national identity, even if that meant ignoring or distorting the truth.

The Takeaway: A Time to Reflect, Not Just Feast

a person serving roasted turkeyPhoto by Claudio Schwarz on Unsplash

Thanksgiving is a complex holiday with a tangled history that often goes unacknowledged. While it’s a time for gratitude and togetherness, it’s also an opportunity to educate ourselves about the realities of colonization and the lasting impacts on Indigenous communities.

This Thanksgiving, consider ways to support Indigenous communities, learn more about their histories, and reflect on how we can move toward a more inclusive and honest acknowledgment of the past. After all, gratitude and truth go hand in hand.

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LDC Latina Initiative Press

The Latino Donor Collaborative launched the LDC Latina Initiative in New York City on November 19th, 2024. The history-making initiative aims to empower Latinas through cutting-edge reports, impactful events, and transformative programs. It also serves to uplift Latina voices and pave the way for a new era of leadership and innovation. The initiative comes at a crucial time, as recent economic data highlights the immense and growing impact of Latinas on the U.S. economy and culture.


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