Thanksgiving History: Pilgrims, Wampanoag, Native Perspectives & Why Gratitude Matters
A Brief History of Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a national holiday in the United States celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November. Many people connect its beginnings to a 1621 harvest meal in Plymouth, where English colonists and members of the Wampanoag Nation shared food after the settlers’ first successful growing season.
The Pilgrims had arrived the year before after a long and dangerous voyage from England. Their first winter was devastating — hunger, disease, and exposure claimed many lives. The Wampanoag, who had recently suffered a terrible loss of their own people due to disease brought by earlier Europeans, helped the weakened settlers. They taught them how to grow corn, fish local waters, and survive the climate.
That early relationship was not perfect, but for a brief period it included cooperation and a peace treaty that lasted more than 50 years. Later, in 1863, President Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving a national holiday during the Civil War, encouraging Americans to pause each year to give thanks.
The Native American Perspective
The way Thanksgiving is often taught in schools and shown in media leaves out much of the full story. For many Native Americans, the holiday can be a painful reminder of what followed after that short time of peace — the loss of land, culture, and countless Native lives as European settlement expanded.
Since 1970, some Native people and allies have gathered in Plymouth on the fourth Thursday in November to mark a National Day of Mourning. They honor their ancestors and draw attention to ongoing struggles Native communities still face.
However, Native voices are not all the same. Gratitude has always been an important part of Indigenous culture. Long before the Pilgrims arrived, many Native tribes held seasonal harvest celebrations, offering thanks for food, family, and the earth’s abundance.
Some Native Americans do not observe the holiday, while others choose to focus on togetherness and gratitude — enjoying meals with loved ones and remembering their deep traditions of giving and community.
How Serenity of the Mind Celebrates Thanksgiving
Here at Serenity of the Mind, we are a very multiethnic family and community. We understand that history can be complicated and often difficult to fully know. So for us, Thanksgiving is a simple reminder to be thankful — thankful for the people we love, the food we have, and the kindness we share every day.
We hope each person celebrates in their own meaningful way. At the top of this post, you will find our holiday video featuring a hand-painted animated festive table with calming music — something peaceful to enjoy no matter how you spend the day.
And if cooking brings you joy, we also include a second video with relaxing ideas for preparing a special meal without pressure or stress. Sometimes the celebration can be simple: sitting together, sharing a warm dish, or just taking a quiet moment to feel grateful for the good things in our lives.
From our family to yours, HAPPY THANKSGIVING
Thanksgiving-Stress-free Holiday Dinner TipsReferences / Further Reading
- History.com Editors. “History of Thanksgiving.” History.com. https://www.history.com/articles/history-of-thanksgiving
- “Wampanoag Treaty.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wampanoag_treaty
- Native Hope. “What Does Thanksgiving Mean to Native Americans?” NativeHope.org. https://blog.nativehope.org/what-does-thanksgiving-mean-to-native-americans
