The First Day of Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!

The following article from The WallBuilders, outlines actual events surrounding the very first Thanksgiving day observed by the first Pilgrim settlers in the future United States:
Being Thankful in All Circumstances
The original Pilgrim Thanksgiving commemorated by most Americans today occurred in 1621. It came at the end of a difficult winter for the Pilgrims, for they had suffered the loss of about half of their original party. Additionally, as explained by author and minister Ashbel Steele, obtaining food in their new land was extremely difficult:
Some were employed in....fishing, to furnish for each family a goodly supply, others again were engaged in hunting, procuring, among other game, water fowl, wild turkey, and venison. Of meal, or Indian corn, one peck [that is, about two gallons, or one-fourth bushel] a week for each person was the apportioned supply. Of other meal or wheat, they had none; nor had they any mill for grinding; therefore their corn must be pounded or mashed by their own hands.
But despite the difficulties, the Pilgrims still wanted to thank God. According to Steele:
The provision for the little colony being secured for the ensuing winter, their governor set apart a day for public thanksgiving. Accordingly, with the fruits of their labors, the thankful feast was prepared, that all might in a special manner rejoice together under a grateful sense of their tokens of Divine mercy. It was their first thanksgiving or harvest festival in the New World. And we may well conjecture [image] what were the feelings, and what the theme of the Elder [William Brewster, an early Pilgrim governor], as, assembled in their “Common House,” he led the devotions of these worshipers, and spoke to them with words befitting the occasion. The occasion was likewise improved as a fit time to interest and favorably influence the neighboring Indians. “Among other recreations,” says Winslow, “we exercised our arms [that is, we had shooting contests with the Indians]; many of the Indians coming amongst us, and with them came their greatest King, Massasoit, accompanied by some ninety men, whom for three days we entertained and feasted. They also went out and killed five deer, which they brought to the plantation and bestowed on our governor, and upon the captain and others. And though it be not always so plentiful as it was at this time with us, yet, by the goodness of God, we are so far from want that we wish our friends partakers with us.”
The tradition of Thanksgiving has continued throughout the generations. In fact, it was particularly observed by our Founding Fathers, who were responsible for proclaiming days of Thanksgiving for their states as well as the nation. And Thanksgiving was even celebrated during times of war.

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