Uncovering the True Story and Menu of the First Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving in the U.S. is traditionally seen as a harmonious feast between Pilgrims and the Wampanoag, but its history is more complex, involving themes of national unity and racial exclusion. The holiday's origins are debated, with historians emphasizing the need to understand its true history, including the subsequent conflict and near destruction of the Wampanoag people. Thanksgiving became a national holiday during the Civil War, promoted by Sarah Josepha Hale as a unifying event, though it historically excluded many minority groups. Indigenous communities now observe a National Day of Mourning to highlight these overlooked narratives.