Thanksgiving The Voyage, Daily Life, Native Americans, the First Thanksgiving Feast and Thanksgiving Today

Voyage on the Mayflower On September 16, 1620, a group of people called Pilgrims left England because King James I did not permit religious freedom. He said, “Everyone has to belong to the Church of England.” The Pilgrims boarded a ship called the Mayflower and set sail for America. On September 16, 1620, a group of people called Pilgrims left England because King James I did not permit religious freedom. He said, “Everyone has to belong to the Church of England.” The Pilgrims boarded a ship called the Mayflower and set sail for America. They sailed for 66 days over choppy waters and sometimes through stormy weather. They sailed for 66 days over choppy waters and sometimes through stormy weather. On November 21, 1620 (2 months later) the Pilgrims arrived in America. They landed at Plymouth Rock in Plymouth Massachusetts. On November 21, 1620 (2 months later) the Pilgrims arrived in America. They landed at Plymouth Rock in Plymouth Massachusetts.

The First Winter There were about 100 Pilgrims. There were about 100 Pilgrims. The first winter was very cold and difficult for the Pilgrims. The first winter was very cold and difficult for the Pilgrims. Many of them were sick and did not have enough food to eat. Many of them were sick and did not have enough food to eat. Half of the Pilgrims did not survive the first winter. Half of the Pilgrims did not survive the first winter.

Native Americans The pilgrims met a friendly Native American named Squanto. The pilgrims met a friendly Native American named Squanto. He helped the Pilgrims and Native Americans to become friends. He helped the Pilgrims and Native Americans to become friends. The Native Americans taught the Pilgrims how to live in the wilderness. The Native Americans taught the Pilgrims how to live in the wilderness. They gave the Pilgrims seeds for corn and taught them how to plant crops for food. They gave the Pilgrims seeds for corn and taught them how to plant crops for food. They also taught the Pilgrims how to hunt and fish for food. They also taught the Pilgrims how to hunt and fish for food.

The Thanksgiving Feast In the fall, the Pilgrims harvested their crops. In the fall, the Pilgrims harvested their crops. They were very grateful to the Native Americans for teaching them how to survive off the land. They were very grateful to the Native Americans for teaching them how to survive off the land. The Pilgrims and the Native Americans had a feast to give thanks for their food and their friendship. The Pilgrims and the Native Americans had a feast to give thanks for their food and their friendship.

Thanksgiving Today Today, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November. Today, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November. Family and friends gather together to give thanks. Family and friends gather together to give thanks. They share food, laughter and love. They share food, laughter and love.

Fun Facts There was no turkey at the first Thanksgiving Day Feast. There was no turkey at the first Thanksgiving Day Feast. There was also no milk, cheese, bread, butter or pumpkin pie at the original Thanksgiving Day feast. There was also no milk, cheese, bread, butter or pumpkin pie at the original Thanksgiving Day feast. The average age of the Mayflower passenger was 32. The oldest Mayflower passenger was 64. The average age of the Mayflower passenger was 32. The oldest Mayflower passenger was 64.

Fun Facts - continued Only male (tom) turkeys gobble. Females make a clicking noise. Only male (tom) turkeys gobble. Females make a clicking noise. Turkeys can drown if they look up when it's raining! Turkeys can drown if they look up when it's raining! President Abraham Lincoln established the original date for our National Thanksgiving Day celebration in President Abraham Lincoln established the original date for our National Thanksgiving Day celebration in According the U.S. Department of Agriculture, more than 45 million turkeys are cooked and eaten in the United States at Thanksgiving. According the U.S. Department of Agriculture, more than 45 million turkeys are cooked and eaten in the United States at Thanksgiving. Americans feast on 535 million pounds of turkey on Thanksgiving. Americans feast on 535 million pounds of turkey on Thanksgiving.

The First Thanksgiving Song The First Thanksgiving (Tune:The Muffin Man ) The First Thanksgiving (Tune:The Muffin Man ) The Pilgrims came to America America, America. The Pilgrims came to America a long, long time ago. The Pilgrims came to America America, America. The Pilgrims came to America a long, long time ago. They sailed on the Mayflower the Mayflower, the Mayflower. They sailed on the Mayflower a long, long time ago. They sailed on the Mayflower the Mayflower, the Mayflower. They sailed on the Mayflower a long, long time ago. They made friends with the Indians The Indians, the Indians. They made friends with the Indians a long, long time ago. They made friends with the Indians The Indians, the Indians. They made friends with the Indians a long, long time ago. They planted seeds. The corn grew tall The corn grew tall. The corn grew tall. They planted seeds. The corn grew tall a long, long time ago. They planted seeds. The corn grew tall The corn grew tall. The corn grew tall. They planted seeds. The corn grew tall a long, long time ago. They had a great Thanksgiving feast Thanksgiving feast, Thanksgiving feast. They had a great Thanksgiving feast a long, long time ago. They had a great Thanksgiving feast Thanksgiving feast, Thanksgiving feast. They had a great Thanksgiving feast a long, long time ago.