1. THANKSGIVING Eleven Myths Of Thanksgiving.

2. REASONING I believe it is essential for today’s youth, teachers, and society to understand that the traditional teachings of “Thanksgiving” are done so in a more accurate and honest portrayal. I believe it is essential for today’s youth, teachers, and society to understand that the traditional teachings of “Thanksgiving” are done so in a more accurate and honest portrayal. We should not continue to educate the stereotypes and inaccuracies in our, U.S., history. We should not continue to educate the stereotypes and inaccuracies in our, U.S., history.

3. MYTH 1: “FIRST” THANKSGIVING Texans claim the first Thanksgiving in America actually took place in little San Elizario, a community near El Paso, in 1598 -- twenty-three years before the Pilgrims' festival. Texans claim the first Thanksgiving in America actually took place in little San Elizario, a community near El Paso, in 1598 -- twenty-three years before the Pilgrims' festival. The Berkeley Plantation in Virginia claims the first Thanksgiving in America was held there on December 4th, 1619....two years before the Pilgrims' festival. The Berkeley Plantation in Virginia claims the first Thanksgiving in America was held there on December 4th, 1619....two years before the Pilgrims' festival. Native Americans have celebrated Harvest and Thanksgiving rituals, sometimes up to six per year. Native Americans have celebrated Harvest and Thanksgiving rituals, sometimes up to six per year. Dutch who offered a scalp bounty have held a “Giving of Thanks” celebration to God for His help in the destruction of an entire Native Tribe during battle, with 500 being put to death by the sword. Dutch who offered a scalp bounty have held a “Giving of Thanks” celebration to God for His help in the destruction of an entire Native Tribe during battle, with 500 being put to death by the sword.

4. MYTH 2: THE MAYFLOWER STORY The ship was caught up in a storm, but it is believed that they knew where they were heading The ship was caught up in a storm, but it is believed that they knew where they were heading Jamestown was an area they would be persecuted, and they so headed towards Plymouth Jamestown was an area they would be persecuted, and they so headed towards Plymouth The area was lucrative for fishing and fur and would provide the settlers with prosperity The area was lucrative for fishing and fur and would provide the settlers with prosperity

5. MYTH 3: THEY WERE PILGRIMS The original group did not identify themselves as Pilgrims- which are persons who travel for religious purposes The original group did not identify themselves as Pilgrims- which are persons who travel for religious purposes They were dissidents of the King of England and The Church of England They were dissidents of the King of England and The Church of England Pilgrims did not wear the hats, shirts, belt buckles and did not use the muskets that are shown in all the Thanksgiving images Pilgrims did not wear the hats, shirts, belt buckles and did not use the muskets that are shown in all the Thanksgiving images

7. MYTH 4: THE PILGRIMS LANDED AT PLYMOUTH ROCK The Pilgrims actually landed at Provincetown The Pilgrims actually landed at Provincetown The rock was first referred to at least 100 years after the landing. Possibly as a reference to the Bible-Matthew 16:18 The rock was first referred to at least 100 years after the landing. Possibly as a reference to the Bible-Matthew 16:18 The “Rock” has been moved several times before landing at its current site, where it has been cracked in two, glued together and chipped away and carved by tourists. The “Rock” has been moved several times before landing at its current site, where it has been cracked in two, glued together and chipped away and carved by tourists.

8. MYTH 5: PILGRIMS FOUND CORN 16 settlers went down a Nauset trail where they found a kettle and corn buried in the ground- they took it. 16 settlers went down a Nauset trail where they found a kettle and corn buried in the ground- they took it. They returned with a larger group and dug up the area looking for more supplies, including ten bushels of corn They returned with a larger group and dug up the area looking for more supplies, including ten bushels of corn They also dug up graves and raided nearby Indian dwellings They also dug up graves and raided nearby Indian dwellings

9. MYTH 6: SAMOSET (He who walks over much) Spoke some English, learned by English fishermen in Maine, where he was from Spoke some English, learned by English fishermen in Maine, where he was from Was sent by the Sachem, Massasoit, not just as an interpreter but to find out about the settlers-whom he did not trust Was sent by the Sachem, Massasoit, not just as an interpreter but to find out about the settlers-whom he did not trust Introduced Squanto reluctantly, but did not speak enough English to carry on more detailed conversations Introduced Squanto reluctantly, but did not speak enough English to carry on more detailed conversations

10. MYTH 7: SQUANTO (Tisquantum) Was a captured slave, who later gained his freedom and returned to North America Was a captured slave, who later gained his freedom and returned to North America Was not trusted by either the settlers, Massasoit, or other native tribes Was not trusted by either the settlers, Massasoit, or other native tribes Wanted to obtain power and have Englishmen help him destroy enemies Wanted to obtain power and have Englishmen help him destroy enemies

11. MYTH 8: PILGRIMS INVITE INDIANS Thanksgiving was a term for the giving thanks after a period of fasting and prayer-A harvest celebration was more likely Thanksgiving was a term for the giving thanks after a period of fasting and prayer-A harvest celebration was more likely The Pilgrims were celebrating their good fortune of survival The Pilgrims were celebrating their good fortune of survival They killed enough fowl to last a week They killed enough fowl to last a week Massasoit arrived with ninety warriors, no women or children, thinking the Pilgrims were preparing for war. Massasoit arrived with ninety warriors, no women or children, thinking the Pilgrims were preparing for war.

12. MYTH 9: PILGRIMS PROVIDE FOOD Although the settlers did have enough fowl to last a week, they had very little else Although the settlers did have enough fowl to last a week, they had very little else Since the settlers were limited with supplies, food, and knowledge the Natives would have provided most of the game and food Since the settlers were limited with supplies, food, and knowledge the Natives would have provided most of the game and food Massasoit sent men to hunt bringing back 5 deer and possibly turkey, likely but not proven Massasoit sent men to hunt bringing back 5 deer and possibly turkey, likely but not proven Much of the time was spent with the chiefs and leaders in discussion, not celebrating Much of the time was spent with the chiefs and leaders in discussion, not celebrating

13. MYTH 10: THE FEAST A type of pumpkin squash (pompion) and nassump- a traditional corn porridge was prepared by the native women, who arrived when it was determined that no war was happening A type of pumpkin squash (pompion) and nassump- a traditional corn porridge was prepared by the native women, who arrived when it was determined that no war was happening Plums, grapes, berries, and melons were out of season, Plums, grapes, berries, and melons were out of season, It was too cold to dig for clams or fish for eels, and no boats for lobsters. Not enough barley for beer and no wheat crops. It was too cold to dig for clams or fish for eels, and no boats for lobsters. Not enough barley for beer and no wheat crops. Potatoes, sweet potatoes, and sweet corn didn’t arrive in the area until the 18 th century. Potatoes, sweet potatoes, and sweet corn didn’t arrive in the area until the 18 th century. Cranberries, not made into a sauce yet, were too tart and those and pumpkin pie would not have been served. Cranberries, not made into a sauce yet, were too tart and those and pumpkin pie would not have been served. And alas, no popcorn, soda, or football. And alas, no popcorn, soda, or football.

14. MYTH 11: FRIENDSHIP Massasoit was not able, with friendship, to curb war and loss of land by the settlers. Massasoit was not able, with friendship, to curb war and loss of land by the settlers. In 1637 English soldiers massacred some 700 Pequot men, women, and children at Fort Mystic. In 1637 English soldiers massacred some 700 Pequot men, women, and children at Fort Mystic. The colony of Connecticut and the Massachusetts Bay Colony observed a day of thanksgiving in commemoration. The colony of Connecticut and the Massachusetts Bay Colony observed a day of thanksgiving in commemoration. In 1657, Metacom-son of Massasoit, led a rebellion. The conflict known as “King Phillip’s War” led to most of the Indians in the Northeast region dead, in slavery, or fleeing to Canada. In 1657, Metacom-son of Massasoit, led a rebellion. The conflict known as “King Phillip’s War” led to most of the Indians in the Northeast region dead, in slavery, or fleeing to Canada. Shortly after Metacom’s death, the Plimouth Colony declared a day of thanksgiving for the English victory. Shortly after Metacom’s death, the Plimouth Colony declared a day of thanksgiving for the English victory.

15. CONCLUSION Thanksgiving may be seen as a traditional holiday for the purpose of being thankful for all of our food and blessings, but it is not based on a noble idea. Thanksgiving may be seen as a traditional holiday for the purpose of being thankful for all of our food and blessings, but it is not based on a noble idea. To perpetuate and retell the same lies and stereotypes is not only wrong but unethical To perpetuate and retell the same lies and stereotypes is not only wrong but unethical Educators should celebrate the holiday, but in so doing, tell the truth! Educators should celebrate the holiday, but in so doing, tell the truth!