The first Thanksgiving is most commonly recognized as having been hosted by the Plymouth colonists in 1621 in what is now Plymouth, Massachusetts. The feast was a multi-day event that involved the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag tribe celebrating a successful autumn harvest.
Location Details
- The event took place in Plymouth Colony, with celebrations likely spread throughout the village.
- Leyden Street, now in downtown Plymouth, is believed to be the area where the community gathered for feasting and military drills.
- The surrounding region included southeastern Massachusetts and eastern Rhode Island, the home of the Wampanoag.
Historical Disputes
Some historians argue that earlier celebrations resembling Thanksgiving occurred:
- In 1619 at Berkeley Plantation, Virginia, English settlers held a day of thanksgiving upon arrival, but their observance focused on prayer rather than a communal feast.
- Even earlier, in 1565, Spanish settlers in St. Augustine, Florida, held a thanksgiving meal after landing, but this is not the one commonly recognized in popular American tradition.
Summary Table
Date| Location| Hosts| Nature of Event
---|---|---|---
1621| Plymouth, Massachusetts| Pilgrims & Wampanoag| Harvest feast, multi-day
celebration13910
1619| Berkeley Plantation, Virginia| English colonists| Prayer and
thanksgiving25
1565| St. Augustine, Florida| Spanish settlers| Catholic thanksgiving mass6
Most American tradition acknowledges Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1621 as the site of the first Thanksgiving feast.
